Honestly, if you've spent any time in Southwestern Ontario, you know that the "Festival City" doesn't just pack it up when the stage lights go down. But man, the January air here has a way of reminding you exactly where you are on the map.
Right now, Stratford is sitting in that classic mid-winter pocket. If you’re looking out your window today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, you’re seeing exactly what the gauges are telling us: it's a bit of a grind.
The Current Situation on the Ground
As of this morning, the temperature is hanging out at 28°F, but don't let that number fool you. With the wind coming in from the southwest at 12 mph, the "feels like" temperature is a much sharper 18°F. It’s that damp, biting cold that finds the gap between your scarf and your coat.
We’re seeing light snow showers right now. It's not the massive dump we saw earlier in the week—remember that storm on the 15th that caught everyone off guard?—but it's enough to keep the sidewalks slick. Humidity is sitting high at 92%, which is basically the reason the air feels like a cold, wet blanket.
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Today's Full Breakdown
For the rest of Saturday, here is the literal data from the sensors:
- High Temperature: 30°F
- Low Temperature: 11°F
- Daytime Conditions: Light snow with a 35% chance of precipitation.
- Tonight: Snow showers continuing, though the chance drops to 20%.
- Winds: Picking up slightly to 17 mph from the southwest.
What Most People Get Wrong About Stratford Winters
Most people think Stratford goes into hibernation once the Shakespeare fans leave. Not true. But the stratford ontario weather forecast can be a fickle beast because of our proximity to Lake Huron.
We get these "streamers"—narrow bands of heavy snow—that can dump five centimeters on one street while the next block over is perfectly clear. It makes planning a weekend trip to see the Lights On Stratford festival a bit of a gamble.
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Speaking of that, if you're heading out for the light displays tonight, be prepared for that temperature drop. Going from a high of 30°F during the day down to 11°F overnight is a massive swing. That 19-degree difference is exactly how pipes freeze and why your car might not want to turn over tomorrow morning.
The "Real Feel" Factor
Why does 28 degrees feel so much worse here than in, say, Toronto? It’s the open farm country surrounding us. Once those southwest winds get moving across the flat lands of Perth County, there’s nothing to stop them.
By tonight, the wind chill is going to be the real story. Even if the thermometer says 11°F, that 17 mph wind is going to make it feel significantly below zero. If you're walking the Avon River trails or heading to the Saturday morning Farmers' Market, layering isn't just a suggestion; it's a survival strategy.
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Looking Ahead
The snow we're seeing today is part of a broader pattern of "light showers snow" that's expected to linger. We aren't looking at a repeat of the 25-centimeter madness from two days ago, but the accumulation will be enough to require a shovel by Sunday morning.
The UV index is a flat 0, which is typical for our overcast January skies. Don't expect to see the sun peaking through those clouds anytime soon.
Survival Tips for This Forecast
If you're out and about in Stratford today, keep a few things in mind. The humidity is high enough that any moisture on the roads—even if it looks like just a "dusting" of snow—is likely hiding a layer of ice underneath.
- Check your tires: If you haven't swapped to winters yet, today is going to be a reminder of why you should.
- Pet safety: That 11°F low tonight is dangerous for smaller animals. Keep the walks short.
- The Wind Factor: Southwest winds are notorious for blowing snow across Highway 7 and Highway 8. Visibility can drop to near zero in seconds even if it’s not "heavy" snow falling from the sky.
Basically, stay warm, keep the salt handy for your driveway, and maybe grab a coffee at one of the spots downtown to wait out the flurries. The weather is doing exactly what Stratford weather does in January: keeping us on our toes.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your outdoor vents and furnace intake pipes this afternoon; with the drifting snow and 17 mph winds expected tonight, it’s easy for debris or light snow to block them, which can lead to carbon monoxide buildup or furnace failure during the 11°F overnight drop.