Special Weather Statement Warns of Icy Blast from Wednesday Morning
Freezing rain is expected in Sault Ste. Marie midweek, with up to 5 mm of ice accretion, snow, and gusty winds. A spring warm-up follows on Friday
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – April 1, 2025 – Spring may be on the calendar, but winter has its own plans in the Soo. Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for Sault Ste. Marie and St. Joseph Island, as a messy mix of snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain is forecast to roll in on Wednesday. With ice accretion, gusty winds, and slippery conditions expected, it’s shaping up to be a midweek ice capade.
Current Conditions: Calm, Cold, and Clear
As of 6:00 AM EDT, skies over Sault Ste. Marie are mainly clear with a chilly temperature of -13.6°C. A light easterly breeze at 5 km/h brings the wind chill down to -17°C. Humidity is high at 93%, and the barometric pressure is at 102.3 kPa and rising, signaling fair weather for today—before things get frosty tomorrow.
Expect a mainly sunny day ahead with a high of +1°C, but don’t let the sun fool you—this morning’s wind chill will feel like -17°C. Winds remain gentle through the day, though they’ll start picking up tonight. UV index is moderate at 5, so a little sunshine therapy is still possible.
Wednesday: From Snow to Slush to Slick
Brace yourself for a busy Wednesday in the Soo’s skies. The day starts off with cloud cover and snow mixed with ice pellets beginning in the morning. By the afternoon, that precipitation will transition to freezing rain, with ice accretion of 2 to 5 mm expected on exposed surfaces.
Winds will be a real factor—easterly gusts up to 70 km/h could lead to blowing snow and visibility issues late in the morning and early afternoon. Temperatures will hover near -1°C, with a wind chill of -17°C in the morning improving only slightly to -9°C by the afternoon.
By Wednesday night, temperatures will creep up to zero, and freezing rain may switch to plain rain as the system warms up.
Thursday and Beyond: Melty Mix, Then a Bright Finish
Thursday stays unsettled, with a 60% chance of rain through the day and a high of just +3°C—not quite tropical, but enough to help melt some of that midweek ice.
Thursday night dips again to -7°C, with a 30% chance of flurries or rain showers, depending on how the leftover system behaves.
Thankfully, Friday offers a sunnier scene, with skies clearing and a high of +7°C. It’s a welcome end to a messy week—just in time for some much-needed spring optimism.
Historical Highs and Lows: Soo Weather Flashback
On this day in history, the Soo has basked in a balmy 20.5°C (April 1, 1999) and shivered through a teeth-chattering -26.1°C. Today’s -13.6°C reading fits neatly in between, though we’re still leaning more toward the parka side of the spectrum.
What to Wear: Today’s Sunshine, Tomorrow’s Slip-Proof Layers
Today’s weather is crisp but bright, so bundle up with a warm coat, mitts, and maybe a pair of sunglasses. For Wednesday, it’s all about safety: wear waterproof boots with solid traction, grab your ice cleats, and make sure your outerwear is wind- and water-resistant. It’s the kind of day when a hooded jacket saves you from freezing drizzle, and an umbrella is no match for those gusty winds.
Weather Trivia: The Soo’s Ice Legacy
Did you know that Sault Ste. Marie’s proximity to Lake Superior and Lake Huron makes it one of Ontario’s top spots for lake-effect snow and freezing rain events? With the lakes not quite warmed up yet, April storms like this can bring a surprising punch of winter’s last hurrah.