Up to 20 cm of Snow and Ice Pellets to Blanket the Region
Freezing Rain, Heavy Snow, and Challenging Travel Conditions Ahead
SUDBURY – WEATHER – Northeastern Ontario is in for a classic late-March curveball as a Snowfall Warning is in effect for Greater Sudbury and surrounding areas. If you were thinking of switching out your snow boots for sneakers—hold that thought. A wintry mix of snow, ice pellets, and even freezing rain is set to hit the region beginning today, continuing into Saturday morning.
As of 6:00 AM EDT at Greater Sudbury Airport, it’s a brisk -9.1°C under partly cloudy skies. Winds are light out of the east at 6 km/h, creating a wind chill of -12. Humidity is at 78%, with barometric pressure steady and rising at 102.3 kPa—a signal that the storm is brewing.
Snow Starts Today, Intensifies by Tonight
The day will start relatively calm, becoming overcast as the morning progresses. Snow is expected to begin falling around noon with about 2 cm anticipated through the afternoon. Winds will pick up, shifting east at 20 km/h and gusting to 40 km/h. Temperatures will climb to a high of -4°C, but with the wind chill, it’ll feel closer to -13°C. The UV index will sit at a moderate 3—so the only thing glowing will be the snowfall rates.
Tonight is when things take a dramatic turn. Heavy snow or ice pellets will move in with the risk of freezing rain mixing in. Total snow and pellet accumulation could reach between 10 to 20 cm, especially where snowfall rates intensify later in the evening. Northeast winds of 20 km/h gusting to 40 will add to the blustery conditions. Overnight lows will drop to -6°C, with a wind chill again around -13°C.
Saturday: A Brief Breather Before Round Two
Saturday brings some relief, but only temporarily. Snow or ice pellets will taper off early in the afternoon, with just 2 cm expected before skies begin to clear. There’s still a risk of freezing rain lingering into the early afternoon. Temperatures will nudge up to the freezing mark (0°C), and winds will lighten through the day.
Saturday night, however, looks to set the stage for Storm: The Sequel. Periods of freezing rain or snow are expected to resume, ushering in another potential system on Sunday that could deliver significant snowfall, freezing rain, and ice pellets yet again. Sunday’s high will be around -1°C, with continued frozen precipitation through the night and lows of -5°C.
By Monday, flurries will be the main feature, with a high of -5°C, followed by a deep freeze overnight with a low of -15°C—just in case you thought spring was around the corner.
Dress Code: Arctic Edition
It’s a weekend for winter warriors. Think insulated boots, snow pants if you’ve got ‘em, and layers upon layers. With wind chills sticking to the -13 to -14°C range in the mornings, you’ll want hats, scarves, and gloves in full rotation. And maybe skip the long drive unless you’ve got snow tires and snacks.
Historic Weather Snapshot
On this day in Sudbury’s history, the warmest temperature recorded was a balmy 14.4°C back in 1998, while the chilliest March 28 dipped to a biting -25.1°C in 1982. So while today’s chill isn’t record-breaking, it’s certainly enough to keep winter alive and well.
Weather Trivia: Sudbury’s Snowy Side
Did you know Sudbury averages about 263 cm of snow per year? That’s over 8.5 feet—enough to bury a moose (okay, maybe a short one). March is often one of the snowiest months, especially when spring tries to muscle in early. Nature’s not quite ready to pack away the snow machine just yet.
