From Grey Skies to Light Flurries – Northwestern Ontario Stays in Winter Mode

Sioux Lookout and Pickle Lake brace for snow and sub-zero wind chills today. Up to 4 cm of snow expected with clearing skies by Monday afternoon

Sioux Lookout & Pickle Lake, ON – Sunday, March 23, 2025 – It’s another one of those northern Ontario mornings where the calendar says “spring,” but Mother Nature clearly missed the memo. Snow is back on the menu for Sioux Lookout and Pickle Lake today, with a dose of classic cold wind chills just to keep things feeling authentic.

Current Conditions – Chilly and Cloudy Before the Snow Starts

At 4:00 AM CDT, it’s a cold -8.3°C at Sioux Lookout Airport under a thick blanket of cloud. The wind is light from the east at 5 km/h, bringing the wind chill to a brisk -11. Humidity is hovering at 50%, the dew point is a dry -16.8°C, and the barometric pressure is at 101.3 kPa—but falling, a tell-tale sign that a weather system is approaching.

Visibility remains excellent at 24 km, but that will shrink as snow starts falling through the day.

Sunday Forecast – Snowfall and Stiff Winds Incoming

Snow will begin in earnest this morning, with 2 to 4 cm expected by tonight. Winds will gradually pick up, shifting to the northeast at 20 km/h this afternoon, adding a crisp edge to the day. The high will struggle to reach -4°C, and with the wind, it’ll feel more like -21°C in the morning and -8°C by afternoon. Bundle up—it’s definitely a “scarf over the nose” kind of day. The UV index sits at a low 1, so no need for sunglasses unless the sun makes a surprise cameo.

Tonight – Light Snow and Sub-Zero Temps

The snow will taper off overnight but may leave behind another 2 cm before it ends. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of lingering flurries. Winds will ease up, staying light at up to 15 km/h. Overnight, the temperature will dip to a chilly -12°C, and the wind chill will make it feel like -16°C.

Monday and Tuesday – A Glimmer of Sun Between the Flakes

Monday brings a 40% chance of flurries in the morning, but skies will start clearing by the afternoon. Winds will remain calm, and the high will reach 0°C. However, the morning wind chill will still sting at around -17°C, improving to about -5°C by later in the day. The UV index remains low at 1.

Monday night will be clear and cold, with temperatures falling to -14°C—a sharp reminder that March is not a month to trust.

Tuesday brings a mix of sun and cloud and a 30% chance of flurries. The high nudges just above freezing to +2°C, offering the week’s first real flirtation with spring. Tuesday night remains cool and partly cloudy with a low of -11°C.

What to Wear – Stay Toasty in Layers

Today calls for full winter gear—thermal base layers, insulated jackets, gloves, and a warm hat. Don’t skip the boots either—snow means slush, and wet socks are the enemy. With wind chills biting into double digits below zero, you’ll want to cover any exposed skin to fend off frostbite. Keep the layers on standby through Tuesday—spring isn’t quite ready to commit.

Weather History – Northern Ontario’s Cold Shoulder

On March 23rd in Sioux Lookout history, the warmest recorded high was a surprising 10.5°C in 2010. Meanwhile, the coldest dipped to -30.6°C in 1965. So while today feels chilly, it could be a lot frostier. For folks in Pickle Lake, that cold streak might just be called “Tuesday.”