Sudbury on Thin Ice: Spring Storm Set to Freeze the Nickel City

Greater Sudbury braces for a spring ice storm bringing freezing rain, snow, and ice pellets through the weekend. Power outages and slick roads possible

SUDBURY, ON – March 27, 2025 – Greater Sudbury is trading in spring dreams for icy reality this weekend. A Special Weather Statement has been issued for the area, warning of a potent and prolonged ice storm moving in late Friday and lingering through Monday. Significant ice accretion, snow, and ice pellets are expected to make travel hazardous and could lead to power outages and broken tree branches — all the classic signs of a stubborn Canadian spring.

Today – Calm Before the Storm with a Mix of Sun, Flurries, and Rain

As of 5:00 AM at Sudbury Airport, skies are clear with a brisk temperature of -7.8°C, though it feels more like -12°C thanks to a gentle southwest wind at 9 km/h. The humidity is at 86%, with a barometric pressure of 102.0 kPa and falling — a classic pre-storm signal.

Today’s forecast calls for a bit of everything: sunny skies early, then a mix of rain showers and flurries near noon, as southwest winds pick up to 30 km/h, gusting to 50, before shifting northwest this afternoon. The high reaches a modest +4°C, though this morning’s wind chill of -14°C may make you question everything.

By tonight, any flurries will taper off, and skies turn partly cloudy, with winds becoming light after a brief gusty spell from the north. Temperatures drop to -11°C, with a wind chill of -15 overnight — ideal weather to avoid ice cream and embrace hot chocolate.

A Chilly Weekend Storm Brewing – Ice, Snow, and Everything Not Nice

Friday marks the beginning of the messy stuff. The day stays cloudy, with snow starting near noon, evolving into snow or ice pellets by late afternoon, and 2 cm of accumulation expected. Easterly winds at 20 km/h add to the bite of the cold, as the high hovers at -5°C, with a wind chill of -14°C in the morning and -9°C in the afternoon.

Friday night gets downright wintry again with periods of snow or rain and a low of -8°C, setting the stage for even more active weather.

On Saturday, expect continued periods of snow or rain, with temperatures just below freezing at -2°C. As the evening sets in, brace for freezing rain or snow to resume, dipping to -8°C overnight.

Sunday continues the frozen saga with more freezing rain or snow, a high of -4°C, and a 60% chance of snow as night falls, with a low near -10°C. Monday will be cloudy, colder, and (hopefully) quieter, with a high of -1°C and a very crisp -14°C overnight under clear skies.

Dress Smart and Stay Safe – This Storm’s Got Teeth

With ice accretion between 5 to 15 mm (and potentially more), combined with 5 to 15 cm of snow or ice pellets, Sudburians should brace for slick roads, heavy branches, and possible power flickers. This weekend calls for serious winter gear — think insulated coats, boots with grip, gloves, toques, and patience.

Avoid unnecessary travel, especially during the peak freezing rain periods on Saturday night and Sunday. It’s a good time to stock up on essentials and firewood — or maybe just Netflix and snacks.

Weather History and Sudbury’s Ice-Laced Legacy

On this day, Sudbury’s record high soared to a surprisingly warm 20.6°C in 1945, while the record low plunged to a chilly -27.8°C in 1982. Today’s weather sits somewhere awkwardly in between — winter’s encore, spring’s delay.

Did you know? Sudbury has one of Ontario’s longest frost seasons, with freezing temperatures historically possible from September to early May. So if you were planning to swap your shovel for a garden trowel — maybe give it another week… or three.