Ice Ice Maybe: Major Freezing Rain Event Targets Greater Sudbury
Weather Update for Sudbury – Saturday, March 29, 2025
Greater Sudbury is waking up to drifting snow and chilly winds, and there’s an ominous air to the weather forecast. Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement warning of a potentially significant ice storm set to roll in late tonight, stretching through Sunday and into early Monday. We’re talking prolonged freezing rain, ice accretion over 10 mm, and snowfall amounts of up to 10 cm—the kind of forecast that makes both snowplows and powerline crews nervous.
As of 6:14 AM at the Greater Sudbury Airport, the temperature sits at -7.8°C, with a wind chill of -16°C thanks to a brisk northeast wind at 28 km/h, gusting to 37. The humidity is at 82%, and the barometric pressure is 101.8 kPa and falling—a clear signal of the storm system pushing in.
Saturday’s Calm Before the Slippery Storm
Expect cloudy skies this morning with a 60% chance of light snow and a risk of freezing drizzle, before the clouds lift slightly into a mix of sun and cloud this afternoon. Winds will remain steady from the northeast at 20 km/h gusting to 40, with a daytime high of +1°C. Still, with wind chills making it feel like -14°C this morning, keep those warm layers on tight. The UV index is moderate at 5, so don’t let the cloud cover trick you—protect those peepers if the sun peeks through.
Tonight: The Ice Curtain Rises
Tonight, increasing cloudiness takes over, and by after midnight, the action begins with snow or ice pellets, changing to freezing rain overnight. Expect about 2 cm of snow and ice pellets before the icy glaze takes over. Winds will shift to the east late this evening, blowing at 20 km/h and gusting to 40, while temperatures drop to -5°C, with a wind chill of -12.
Sunday: Ice Takes the Stage
Sunday is shaping up to be a challenging day for Sudbury residents. Precipitation begins as snow or ice pellets, transitioning to freezing rain by midday, with the possibility of 5 to 10 cm of accumulation before the glaze begins. Temperatures will stubbornly hover around -1°C, and the wind chill will remain harsh—-12°C in the morning and -7°C in the afternoon. Winds from the east will continue gusting to 40 km/h, potentially making tree branches creak a little louder than usual.
Sunday night brings more freezing rain or snow, with a low of -6°C. Depending on how temperatures evolve, some areas may briefly rise above freezing, turning the freezing rain into just plain rain—though the damage may already be done.
Monday and Beyond: A Cold Clean-Up
Monday keeps the snow theme going with a high of -2°C and clearing skies overnight plunging down to -16°C. Tuesday offers a crisp but sunny high of -4°C, finally offering a bit of stability—albeit a chilly one—for clean-up and recovery.
Historic Weather Bites: Sudbury Edition
On this date in Sudbury weather history, the warmest March 29 reached 17.8°C (1946)—definitely not today’s vibe. The record low plummeted to -29.4°C (1969), so while we’re facing a slippery mess, at least we’re not freezing our eyelashes off.
What to Wear: Armor Up, Northern Style
Think of today as a layering mission: a warm base layer, insulated outerwear, waterproof boots with serious grip, and a wind-blocking jacket. Tonight and Sunday, avoid travel if possible, but if you must head out, ice cleats, thermal gloves, and a whole lot of caution are your best bets.
Did You Know?
Sudbury’s rocky geography and abundant trees make the region especially vulnerable to ice storm damage. Ice accretion of just 10 mm—as forecast—can add over 100 kg of weight per metre of power line, enough to bring down wires and trees. Be prepared for potential outages, and keep those flashlights and snacks handy!
