Winter Storm & Rainfall Warnings in Effect
Sudbury faces heavy rain, freezing rain, and snow, with ice buildup and strong winds making travel hazardous. Stay alert for flooding and icy conditions.
Sudbury is caught in a battle of the elements today, with a Winter Storm Warning and a Rainfall Warning both in effect. A potent mix of heavy rain, freezing rain, ice pellets, and snow is expected, making for a treacherous 24 to 36 hours. Roads, sidewalks, and highways could quickly turn into ice rinks, and flooding is possible in low-lying areas. If you don’t have to travel, staying put might be your best bet!
Current Conditions (6:00 AM EST, March 5, 2025)
At Greater Sudbury Airport, it’s currently -0.4°C with light freezing rain falling. Humidity is sitting at a near-saturated 99%, and the barometric pressure is 100.1 kPa and falling, signaling an intensifying system.
Winds are out of the east-northeast at 18 km/h, creating a wind chill of -5°C. Visibility has already dropped to 4 km, and conditions will only worsen as the day progresses.
Today’s Forecast: A Messy Mix of Rain, Freezing Rain & Snow
Expect periods of rain throughout the day, with freezing rain and drizzle developing by late afternoon. Fog patches will linger, reducing visibility even further. Rainfall amounts could reach 15 mm, while northern areas may see up to 5 cm of snow before precipitation transitions to rain.
Winds will increase from the east at 20 km/h this morning, and temperatures will hold steady around 2°C.
Tonight: A Slippery and Icy Transition
As temperatures drop, the rain will switch to a wintry mix of snow and ice pellets before morning, with a risk of freezing rain. Roads and sidewalks will become dangerously slippery. Fog patches will dissipate overnight, but winds will shift to the north at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, making it feel much colder.
The temperature will drop to -6°C, with a wind chill of -11°C overnight.
Thursday, March 6: Winter Tightens Its Grip
Brace for periods of snow, mixed with ice pellets and a risk of freezing rain early in the morning. Local blowing snow will develop, reducing visibility further. Snow and ice pellet accumulation could reach 2 to 4 cm, with strong northwest winds at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h making travel hazardous.
Temperatures will fall sharply to -9°C by the afternoon, with a bitter wind chill of -18°C. If you thought winter was over, think again!
Thursday Night: Cloudy periods continue, with temperatures dropping even further to -12°C.
Friday, March 7: A Brief Respite
Friday offers a mix of sun and cloud with a 30% chance of flurries. Temperatures will reach -2°C, making it a relatively mild winter day. However, by Friday night, expect cloudy periods and another 30% chance of flurries, with temperatures plunging to -16°C.
Saturday, March 8: Finally, Some Sun!
The weekend kicks off with sunny skies on Saturday, though temperatures remain chilly at -4°C. The night brings cloudy periods, with temperatures settling at -14°C.
What to Wear?
Today, waterproof outerwear and warm layers are your best friends. Rain boots will help with the puddles, but be ready for a quick switch to winter gear by tonight—think heavy coat, gloves, and traction-friendly boots to handle the icy conditions.
Thursday will be downright frigid, so thermal layers and a windproof coat are a must to fight off that nasty wind chill.
Weather Trivia: The Great Ice Storm of 1998
Sudbury has seen its fair share of winter chaos, but did you know that the 1998 Ice Storm—one of the worst in Canadian history—left parts of Ontario coated in up to 100 mm of ice? While Sudbury wasn’t hit as hard as eastern Ontario and Quebec, the storm caused massive power outages and infrastructure damage across the province. Today’s freezing rain won’t be quite that extreme, but it’s still a good idea to be prepared!
Final Thoughts
With heavy rain, freezing rain, snow, strong winds, and plummeting temperatures, Sudbury is in for a messy and potentially hazardous stretch of weather. Travel will be difficult, if not dangerous, especially Thursday morning. If you must go out, drive carefully, watch for black ice, and keep an eye on local weather updates. Stay safe and warm, Sudbury!
