Icy Conditions, Strong Winds, and a Thaw to Follow
SAULT STE. Marie – Weather – April 2nd is serving up classic northern Ontario spring mischief in Sault Ste. Marie, where a Freezing Rain Warning is in effect. Brace yourselves—the Soo is in for a wintry mix of snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain through tonight before things (eventually) warm up.
Today’s Forecast: Snow, Ice Pellets, Freezing Rain—and Wind
As of 5:00 AM EDT at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport, the skies are cloudy, and it’s currently -3.6°C, with a wind chill making it feel like -10°C. Winds are coming from the east at 19 km/h, gusting to 35 km/h, and the barometric pressure is 102.5 kPa and falling, signaling the icy system’s approach. Humidity is sitting at 74%, and visibility remains clear for now at 24 km.
Around noon, expect snow to begin, quickly transitioning into a messy mix of ice pellets and freezing rain. Accumulations of 2 to 4 cm of snow and pellets are expected before ice starts to coat everything in sight. Up to 5 mm of freezing rain is possible, particularly in exposed areas.
The winds will intensify—eastern gusts will pick up to 50 km/h, with gusts near 70 km/h expected for areas closer to the North Channel and St. Joseph Island. These strong gusts could whip up some blowing snow and increase the risk of tree limb damage and power disruptions, especially with that icy coating.
Tonight: Slippery Evening Gives Way to a Mild Morning
Freezing rain will continue through the evening, potentially switching to drizzle or freezing drizzle after midnight. The temperature will rise overnight, going from a low near -1°C to a balmier +2°C by Thursday morning. Be careful on the roads—slushy, icy, and slick conditions are all in play.
Thursday’s Outlook: Mostly Cloudy, Mild but Unsettled
Thursday stays mostly cloudy, with a 60% chance of drizzle changing to flurries or rain showers by noon. Winds will flip to the southwest and then northwest at 30 km/h, and the daytime high will hit +3°C, before cooling off in the afternoon.
Looking Ahead: Sunshine Returns by Friday
Friday brings a welcome change with sunny skies and a high of 8°C, followed by a pleasant mix of sun and cloud through Saturday with highs near 6°C. Nighttime lows hover below freezing, so any leftover moisture could re-freeze overnight.
Historic April 2 Weather in Sault Ste. Marie
On this day in local weather history, the Soo reached a record high of 17.5°C in 1991, while the record low plunged to a bone-chilling -20.6°C in 1975. Today sits squarely on the frosty side of that spectrum.
Wardrobe Wisdom: Layers, Grip, and Waterproof Everything
Today’s dress code? Start off with thermal layers and windproof outerwear—don’t forget gloves and a hat for the wind chill. Grippy, insulated boots are a must, as sidewalks and roads will be dangerously slick by afternoon. Tonight, consider your rain gear with a warmer lining as we shift toward drizzle.
Sault Ste. Marie Weather Trivia: Ice + Wind = Trouble
Did you know? In northern Ontario, just 6 mm of ice can add over 500 pounds of weight to a single power line span. That’s why these freezing rain events are taken so seriously—especially with gusty winds in the mix.
