From Wet Streets to Sunny Skies — The Long Weekend’s Weather Turns Around
Thunder Bay, ON – It’s a chilly and damp start to this Victoria Day Sunday, with light snow and rain drizzling over the city this morning. Headed into the NetNewsLedger Studio on Red River Road this morning was a brisk walk with ice pellets coming down. Bundle up to go out.
But good news is on the horizon — after one more frosty night, spring will return in full force just in time for the holiday Monday.
Sunday Morning: Cold, Wet, and Slushy
As of 6:00 AM at Thunder Bay Airport, it’s a brisk 1.4°C with light rain falling and a nearly saturated air mass at 94% humidity. Winds are light from the north-northwest at 3 km/h, with visibility holding strong at 32 km. The pressure is rising at 101.8 kPa, indicating a shift to clearer conditions later in the day.
The forecast calls for periods of light snow mixed with rain ending near noon, followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. Winds will pick up from the north at 20 km/h. The high temperature will peak at a chilly 7°C, with a UV index of 3 or moderate — not quite sunburn weather, but don’t let your guard down if the clouds thin out.
Sunday Night: Clear, Cold, and Frosty
As the skies clear this evening, so too will the temperatures plunge. Overnight lows will dip to -3°C, with wind chills making it feel closer to -7°C. Winds will ease to calm, but frost is inevitable. Gardeners are strongly advised to cover plants, especially in frost-prone areas.
Victoria Day Monday: Sunshine Steals the Show
Your patience will be rewarded on Monday, May 19, as the skies brighten with full sunshine and temperatures reach a much more comfortable 12°C. Winds will shift to the east at 20 km/h and the UV index climbs to a high 7, so sunscreen becomes a must again.
Monday night remains clear and calm with a low around 0°C.
Tuesday & Wednesday: Consistent Spring Sunshine
The workweek begins with more sunshine: Tuesday’s high is expected to reach 14°C, and Wednesday will match it under clear skies. Overnight lows will gradually climb from 1°C Tuesday to 3°C Wednesday, signaling a much more stable spring pattern.
Wardrobe & Garden Tips
It’s a day for waterproof jackets and warm layers — and definitely mittens for the morning stroll. If you’ve already planted your garden, protect it tonight with frost covers or bring planters indoors. Monday, however, is perfect for outdoor fun, family BBQs, or a hike along the lakefront.
Weather Trivia: Did You Know?
Thunder Bay has seen snow on Victoria Day more than once — the most recent being in 2009, when a brief flurry passed through just hours before fireworks lit up the sky. Proof that in Northwestern Ontario, the two-four weekend can be a bit too cool.
