Ontario is waking up to a classic mid-February chill, with northern communities seeing below-freezing temperatures early this morning while southern regions experience calmer, brighter conditions. In Thunder Bay, skies are mostly cloudy to start the day, but sunshine is expected to return through the late morning and afternoon.
Thunder Bay: Cold Start, Brighter Afternoon
As of early Monday morning, Thunder Bay is sitting around -2°C, with a light north wind near 3 km/h and humidity close to 96%. The wind chill makes it feel closer to -3°C, though visibility remains excellent at 24 km.
Through the early hours, there is a 40% chance of flurries and a risk of freezing drizzle, particularly between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Drivers should watch for slick patches on untreated roads and bridges.
However, conditions improve steadily:
- Temperatures rise to 3°Câ4°C by midday
- Skies turn mainly sunny late morning into early afternoon
- Winds shift west around 10 km/h
- UV index remains low at 1
By late afternoon, Thunder Bay could briefly reach 5°C, offering a mild window before temperatures fall sharply after sunset. Evening readings are expected to drop below freezing, reaching -6°C by 11:00 p.m., with wind chill values near -8°C overnight.
Northern Ontario: Mixed Cloud and Spotty Flurries
Elsewhere across northern Ontario, a similar pattern unfolds. Early morning cloud cover and isolated flurries give way to sunnier intervals as the day progresses. The region remains cold but stable, with limited precipitation risk beyond morning hours.
Cold spots across Ontario today include:
- Pembroke: -15.2°C
- Thunder Bay region: near -2°C early
Despite the chilly air mass, temperatures are not as extreme as parts of the Arctic. Stefansson Island in Nunavut recorded a staggering -45.5°C, highlighting how Ontarioâs cold remains moderate by comparison.
Southern Ontario: Quiet and Seasonal
Southern Ontario, including the GTA, Hamilton, and London, is seeing calmer conditions with seasonal February cold. While morning frost is widespread, sunshine dominates much of the region through midday.
Temperatures range between:
- -5°C to -8°C early morning inland
- 0°C to 3°C by afternoon in southern urban centres
Winds are generally light, meaning wind chill values are manageable compared to previous cold snaps this winter.
Travel and Commuter Outlook
For commuters across Ontario:
- Watch for icy patches during early morning hours, especially in northern districts.
- Improving road conditions are expected by late morning as sunshine strengthens.
- Evening refreeze is likely province-wide once temperatures fall below zero again after sunset.
Air travel conditions remain largely stable with no major widespread weather systems affecting the province today.
Temperature Extremes Across Canada
Ontario sits in the middle of the national temperature range today.
- Warmest spot in Ontario: Atikokan at 1.6°C
- Warmest in Canada: Discovery Island, BC at 5.9°C
- Coldest in Canada: Stefansson Island, NU at -45.5°C
This shows a broad contrast across the country, with Ontario positioned comfortably between Arctic deep freeze and Pacific mildness.
What to Expect Tonight
Clear skies dominate this evening across much of Ontario. While pleasant for stargazing, clear conditions allow heat to escape rapidly, meaning another cold overnight stretch.
Thunder Bay will dip to around -6°C, and southern Ontario cities may see lows between -7°C and -10°C in rural areas.
Drivers should prepare for another round of overnight refreezing where daytime melting occurred.
Ontarioâs weather today reflects a typical late-winter transition pattern: cold mornings, bright afternoons, and frosty nights. Thunder Bay leads the shift from cloud to sun, while southern cities enjoy steady seasonal calm.
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