Ice, Ice (Not So) Baby – Special Weather Statement for Greater Sudbury
Sudbury braces for freezing rain midweek, with ice accretion, snow, and gusty winds forecast Wednesday into Thursday. Spring sun returns by Friday.
SUDBURY, ON – April 1, 2025 – April is starting with a cruel trick rather than a springtime treat in Greater Sudbury, as Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement warning of freezing rain midweek. If you were planning to park winter in storage, you may want to hang onto your ice scraper and salt bag a little longer. A cocktail of snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain is on the menu, with Mother Nature shaking things up starting Wednesday.
Current Conditions: Clear Skies and a Cold Bite
As of 6:00 AM EDT, Sudbury is starting the day under clear skies with an icy temperature of -13.2°C at the airport. With a north-northwest wind at 13 km/h, the wind chill bites down to -20°C, so bundle up tight if you’re venturing out early. Humidity sits at 74%, and the barometric pressure is 102.1 kPa and rising, indicating stable conditions—at least for now.
Today brings sunshine with a high of -2°C, but don’t let that fool you—wind chills of -23°C this morning and -4°C this afternoon mean you’ll still need all your cold-weather layers. Winds from the north at 20 km/h will taper off later in the day. UV index is moderate at 4, so you can get your Vitamin D without freezing (too much).
Midweek Mayhem: Snow, Ice Pellets, and Freezing Rain Incoming
Things begin to turn wintry again on Wednesday, with clouds moving in during the morning and snow starting around noon. That snow won’t stay fluffy for long—expect a transition to ice pellets late in the afternoon, paired with local blowing snow thanks to stiff easterly winds at 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Snow and ice pellet accumulation could hit 2 to 4 cm, making for slick surfaces.
By Wednesday night, temperatures will hover near -4°C, and that’s when the real mischief begins: freezing rain or rain will coat the region, with ice accretion of 2 to 5 mm expected in some areas. Surfaces may become treacherously icy, especially roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. Tree branches might also feel the strain, especially if wind gusts keep flexing near 50 km/h.
Thursday Thaw and Friday Bright Spot
By Thursday morning, warmer air surges in, and temperatures climb to a high of 11°C. Most of the freezing rain will have transitioned to regular rain, with a 60% chance of continued showers throughout the day. Thursday night cools back down to -5°C, with a 30% chance of rain showers or flurries.
Looking ahead to Friday, the region gets a reprieve with sunny skies and a high of +5°C, a perfect finish to a rollercoaster of a weather week. Friday night remains clear and chilly with a low of -3°C.
Historical Weather: April 1’s Extremes in Sudbury
On this day in Sudbury’s weather history, the warmest April 1 saw a pleasant 17.2°C, while the coldest dropped to a frigid -27.8°C. Today’s chill lands us closer to the lower end of the spectrum, but the upcoming midweek warm-up will offer some hope that spring is still trying to make a comeback.
What to Wear: Arctic to Aqua Attire
Tuesday calls for full winter gear—think insulated layers, mitts, scarves, and windproof everything. By Wednesday, it’s a day of layers and waterproof footwear with good grip, especially with slushy snow, freezing rain, and gusty winds on deck. And keep your ice cleats handy—Sudbury’s about to turn into a skating rink for a day or two.
Weather Trivia: Sudbury’s Slippery Reputation
Did you know Sudbury is one of Ontario’s snowiest cities, averaging over 250 cm of snow per year? With spring storms like this one, it’s no wonder the city has perfected the art of shoveling, salting, and skating through surprise April icing.
