From Frosty to Fabulous — A Springtime Roller Coaster on the North Shore
Chilly Start Under Clear Skies
Thunder Bay residents are waking up to a brisk reminder that spring in Northwestern Ontario still has a touch of winter’s bite. As of 6:00 AM EDT this Thursday, May 8, the temperature is a crisp -2.5°C at Thunder Bay Airport under mainly clear skies. A light north wind at just 2 km/h brings the wind chill to -3°C — not dramatic, but enough to convince you to reach for the gloves again. Humidity is sitting high at 88%, and the barometric pressure is a solid 103.1 kPa and rising — a great sign for stable, sunny weather ahead.
Despite the cold start, sunshine is the headliner for today’s weather show. The mercury will climb through the morning toward a modest high of 9°C, and with a strong UV index of 7, the sunshine will do more work than the thermometer suggests. Winds will stay gentle today, maxing out at 15 km/h.
Tonight: A Cold, Clear Overnight Stretch
Thunder Bay’s skies remain clear through the evening, but the temperature will dip well below freezing again, with an overnight low of -5°C. Light winds mean the wind chill will settle around -7°C overnight — so it’s still a bit early to move your tomato plants outside without a blanket.
Looking Ahead: Flip the Weather Switch to “Spring”
Friday will bring a dramatic turnaround. After a frosty start with a wind chill of -6°C, the sun will dominate again, and the high will surge to 20°C. That’s an 11-degree jump from today’s forecasted high, making for a jacket-in-the-morning, T-shirt-by-afternoon kind of day. Friday night remains clear and much warmer, with an overnight low of 9°C — no frost in sight!
Saturday offers more sunshine and a slightly cooler high of 15°C. Cloudy periods and a 30% chance of showers arrive overnight, with a low of +3°C.
Sunday is looking warm and somewhat unsettled. Expect a mix of sun and cloud with a 30% chance of showers and a high of 22°C — perfect for a Mother’s Day picnic, as long as you pack an umbrella just in case.
What to Wear Today
Bundle up early with a winter jacket, hat, and gloves — especially if you’re out before 9 AM. By midday, the sun will ease the chill, and a lighter jacket or sweater should be enough. Sunglasses and sunscreen are highly recommended with that high UV index.
Historic Weather Trivia
On this date in Thunder Bay’s climate history, the record high was a summery 28.2°C in 1977. The record low? A shivering -9.4°C, recorded back in 1963. So, this morning’s sub-zero temperatures may feel cold, but it’s nothing Thunder Bay hasn’t seen before — and the warm weekend ahead should balance things out nicely.
