Brace for Heavy Snow, Ice Pellets, and a Temperature Drop
Sault Ste. Marie faces heavy snow, ice pellets, and strong winds today, with 5-10 cm of snow expected. Temps drop to -12°C tonight, with a frigid wind chill of -18°C
Winter is not giving up its grip just yet, Sault Ste. Marie! As of 6:00 AM EDT, the city is experiencing a mix of light rain and snow with a temperature of 0.3°C. The air is fully saturated at 100% humidity, and the barometric pressure is at 99.7 kPa and rising. Winds from the west-northwest are already gusting up to 38 km/h, and visibility is reduced to 4 km, making for a tricky morning commute.
A Weather Advisory is in effect, warning of heavy snowfall with amounts ranging from 5 to 10 cm—with even more possible north of Ranger Lake. Some areas may also see a mix of freezing rain and ice pellets before the snow takes over completely. If you’re driving today, expect hazardous road conditions and give yourself extra travel time.
Today: Snow, Ice Pellets, and Bitter Wind Chills
A wintry mix of rain and snow will switch to ice pellets or heavy snow by noon, with 5 to 10 cm of accumulation expected. Strong northwest winds at 40 km/h, gusting up to 70 km/h, will create areas of blowing snow, reducing visibility even further. The temperature, currently at 0°C, will drop to -5°C this afternoon, and the wind chill will make it feel like -13°C—a rude reminder that winter isn’t over yet! The UV index remains low at 1, meaning there won’t be much sunshine breaking through today.
Tonight: Clearing Skies but a Deep Freeze
Flurries may linger this evening and after midnight, but skies will begin to clear before morning. Winds will remain strong from the northwest at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, before gradually easing overnight. The temperature will plummet to -12°C, and the wind chill will make it feel like -18°C. If you have to head out tonight, bundle up—it’s going to be a frigid one.
Monday: Sunshine with a Late-Day Warm-Up
Monday will bring some relief, with sunny skies in the morning before clouds roll in later in the day. Winds will shift to the south at 20 km/h, and temperatures will climb to 1°C—though it won’t feel that warm, as the morning wind chill will sit at -18°C. The UV index rises to 4, so a bit of sun exposure is possible.
By Monday night, another round of cloudy skies with a 60% chance of snow moves in, and temperatures will settle at -2°C.
Tuesday: A Milder but Unsettled Day
Tuesday will stay cloudy with a 30% chance of flurries or rain showers, and temperatures will rise to 5°C. The night remains cloudy with a 60% chance of rain or snow, with a low of 1°C.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Winter Gear is a Must!
Today calls for full winter armor—a warm coat, gloves, a hat, and waterproof boots to handle the slush and snow. The strong winds will make it feel much colder, so layering up is essential. Tonight and tomorrow morning will be especially brutal, so don’t underestimate the wind chill!
Fun Weather Fact: A Record-Breaking Snowfall City!
Sault Ste. Marie is no stranger to big snowfalls! The city once recorded 167.4 cm of snow in a single month (December 1995)—that’s taller than most adults! While today’s snowfall won’t come close to that, it’s a good reminder of how unpredictable northern Ontario weather can be.
Stay safe, drive carefully, and brace for a snowy, icy, and blustery day ahead, Sault Ste. Marie!
