Bitter Morning Cold Melts into Sunshine and Hope by the Weekend
Northern Ontario’s Frostiest Start Today—But Hang Tight, Spring’s Warming Up the Forecast
Sioux Lookout & Pickle Lake, ON – Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – If you were wondering whether winter had truly let go of the north, this morning’s deep freeze is your not-so-gentle reminder. As of 5:00 AM CDT, Sioux Lookout is reporting a bone-chilling -18.2°C with a wind chill making it feel closer to -20°C. The skies are mainly clear, and despite the serene look of things, it’s definitely one of those “frost on your eyelashes” mornings. The wind is just a whisper from the north at 2 km/h, barometric pressure is rising steadily at 102.4 kPa, and humidity sits high at 88%—all ingredients for a chilly but calm start.
Today, the sunshine sticks around with blue skies expected throughout the day. Winds will remain light, up to 15 km/h, and the high will crawl up to a modest +1°C. However, with an early morning wind chill that dipped as low as -24°C, it’s a day for your thickest layers and a cup of something hot. The UV index is at a moderate 4, so don’t forget sunglasses or sunscreen if you’re planning time outdoors—especially with the sun reflecting off lingering snow.
Tonight, a few clouds will drift in, but conditions remain mostly clear. The temperature drops again to a frigid -17°C, with a wind chill making it feel closer to -23°C. Winds stay light at 15 km/h, but it’s a night to keep the furnace humming and the flannel sheets tucked in tight.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, April 9, the sunshine continues its winning streak. Expect sunny skies and a significant warm-up to a high of 6°C. Winds will begin out of the southeast at 20 km/h before calming down later in the day. That said, the morning starts harsh, with wind chills potentially hitting -27°C. Another bitter beginning, but the day redeems itself quickly. Wednesday night brings partly cloudy skies and a much milder low of -7°C.
Thursday’s forecast brings a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 7°C. That night, a 30% chance of light flurries or rain showers rolls in under cloudy skies, with a low of -4°C.
Friday continues the mix of conditions with another 30% chance of flurries or rain showers, and a daytime high of 8°C. The low eases to -2°C. By Saturday, we’re looking at a lovely high of 13°C with continued sunshine and only a slight chance of showers overnight. Now that sounds like spring.
What to Wear:
Bundle up like a human burrito this morning: insulated coat, thermal base layers, toque, scarf, gloves—you name it. It’s full-on Arctic fashion. As the week progresses, you can start dialing it back, but keep a windbreaker or light jacket ready for those breezier afternoons.
On This Day in Weather History:
April 8 has delivered extremes in Sioux Lookout before. The warmest recorded temperature for this date is a sunny 17.6°C, while the coldest dipped all the way to -28.3°C. So yes, while today’s frigid air is definitely no picnic, it’s not the worst April’s ever thrown our way.
Weather Trivia Time!
Did you know? Pickle Lake is Ontario’s most northern community with year-round road access! That’s part of why temperatures can be so extreme—they’re influenced by both subarctic air masses and the limited daylight earlier in spring. But when the sun does return, the land warms quickly. A true tale of two seasons—sometimes in the same week!
