Rainfall Warning & Winter Weather Advisory in Effect
Sault Ste. Marie faces heavy rain, flooding risks, and icy conditions today. Snow and strong winds move in tonight, creating hazardous travel into Thursday.
Sault Ste. Marie is in for a weather rollercoaster, with heavy rain, snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain all on the menu. A Rainfall Warning remains in effect, with 20 to 35 mm of rain expected today, leading to a risk of localized flooding in low-lying areas.
Meanwhile, a Winter Weather Travel Advisory warns of 5 to 10 cm of snow, particularly north of the city, and the potential for freezing rain. By tonight, cold air will take over, turning the rain into snow and ice pellets, bringing slippery roads and hazardous travel conditions into Thursday morning.
Current Conditions (6:00 AM EST, March 5, 2025)
At Sault Ste. Marie Airport, the temperature sits at 0.9°C with light rain falling. Humidity is maxed out at 100%, and the barometric pressure is 99.5 kPa and falling, indicating an intensifying system. Winds are blowing from the east-northeast at 23 km/h, and visibility is reduced to 6 km due to rain and fog patches.
Today’s Forecast: Rain & Fog, With a Risk of Freezing Rain
Rain will continue throughout the day, with some northern areas seeing snow instead. There’s a risk of freezing rain, especially in the morning. Fog patches will reduce visibility but should start to clear later in the afternoon. Expect rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 mm, with up to 5 cm of snow in northern sections.
Winds will shift from the east at 30 km/h to the north at 20 km/h by late afternoon. The temperature will remain steady near 1°C.
Tonight: Rain Transitions to Snow & Ice Pellets, Bitter Cold Moves In
As the cold air pushes in, rain will switch to snow mixed with ice pellets, with a risk of freezing rain early in the evening. Local blowing snow will develop overnight, and snow and ice pellet accumulation of 2 to 4 cm is expected.
The wind will ramp up to a blustery northwest 40 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h, making for a frigid overnight low of -12°C. With the wind chill, it will feel like a brutal -22°C.
Thursday, March 6: Snow Ends, But Winds Stay Strong
The morning will start with periods of snow and local blowing snow, but conditions will improve as the day goes on. Winds from the northwest will remain strong at 40 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h, keeping it feeling much colder than the actual air temperature of -3°C. Morning wind chills will plunge to -23°C, improving only slightly to -11°C by the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Cloudy periods persist, with a 60% chance of flurries and a low of -7°C.
Friday, March 7: A Chilly Mix of Sun & Cloud
Friday will bring a mix of sun and cloud, but flurries could still pop up, with a 30% chance of snow and a high of -3°C.
Friday Night: More cloudy periods with a 40% chance of flurries, and temperatures plummet to -15°C.
Saturday, March 8: A Calm but Cold Weekend Start
Saturday offers a mix of sun and cloud with a high of -4°C. The night will bring cloudy periods, with temperatures dipping to -11°C.
What to Wear?
Today, waterproof gear is a must—rain boots, a good raincoat, and an umbrella will keep you dry. By tonight, winter gear is back in style as freezing rain and snow take over. If you’re out early Thursday morning, layer up with thermal clothing, a heavy coat, gloves, and a hat to combat the biting wind chills.
Weather Trivia: The Soo’s Wild Winter Past
Did you know that in March 1878, Sault Ste. Marie recorded one of its biggest late-season snowfalls? Nearly 40 cm of snow fell in just over 24 hours, shutting down travel across the region. While this storm isn’t expected to be that extreme, the mix of rain, snow, and ice could still make for dangerous conditions!
Final Thoughts
Sault Ste. Marie is in for a messy, hazardous weather stretch, with heavy rain, freezing rain, snow, and strong winds making travel difficult. Localized flooding is a concern today, while icy roads will be the issue overnight into Thursday. If you must travel, drive with caution, as roads will be slick and visibility may be reduced. Stay safe and warm, Soo!
