Brace Yourself – A Snowy Blast Continues Through Monday
Sault Ste. Marie remains under a Snow Squall Warning, with up to 40 cm of snow expected. Blowing snow and poor visibility make for hazardous travel conditions
Sault Ste. Marie is in the midst of a full-fledged Snow Squall Warning, with intense lake-effect snow blasting the region. Snow squalls off Lake Superior are expected to continue through Monday and possibly into early Tuesday morning, bringing rapidly changing conditions with poor visibility and heavy accumulations. Some areas could see a whopping 20 to 40 cm of snowfall, with peak rates reaching an astonishing 2 to 5 cm per hour. This means whiteout conditions and tough travel, so if you don’t have to be on the roads, it’s best to stay put.
Currently, at Sault Ste. Marie Airport, light snow showers and blowing snow are reducing visibility to 5 km. The temperature sits at -6.7°C, but with the west wind at 22 km/h, gusting to 34 km/h, the wind chill makes it feel like -14°C. The barometric pressure is 101.9 kPa and rising, indicating the system is still active but may shift slightly in the coming hours. Humidity is at 86%, meaning the air remains saturated and primed for more snowfall.
Sunday Forecast: Flurries, Squalls, and Blowing Snow
Throughout the day, flurries will persist with a risk of snow squalls, making travel unpredictable and, at times, dangerous. Blowing snow will be a major factor, reducing visibility significantly. Expect an additional 10 to 15 cm of accumulation by the end of the day. Winds will pick up from the west at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, keeping wind chills near a frosty -17°C. If you’re venturing outside, brace for rapidly changing conditions, as the snow squalls can shift suddenly.
Tonight: More Flurries and a Risk of Squalls
Snow showers will ease near midnight, leaving behind partly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of lingering flurries. However, there’s still a risk of snow squalls overnight, which means visibility could still drop suddenly in some areas. Blowing snow remains a concern, especially in open areas. Expect an additional 5 cm of accumulation before morning. The temperature will fall to -11°C, but with gusty west winds at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, it will feel closer to -20°C.
Monday: Brief Clearing, but More Snow on the Way
Monday starts with a mix of sun and cloud, but don’t let that fool you—flurries will begin by mid-morning, with another risk of snow squalls developing throughout the day. Expect another 5 to 10 cm of fresh snow, with blowing snow picking up late in the morning and continuing into the afternoon. Winds will remain strong at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, keeping wind chills harsh at -21°C in the morning and -12°C in the afternoon.
Monday night brings steady flurries, with temperatures tumbling to -17°C.
Tuesday: The Deep Freeze Continues
Tuesday keeps the wintry theme going, with a mix of sun and cloud and a 60% chance of flurries. The high will only reach -12°C, reinforcing the idea that winter isn’t loosening its grip just yet.
Tuesday night remains cold and cloudy, with a 60% chance of flurries and a low of -20°C—definitely not patio weather!
What to Wear Today
If you must step outside today, full winter gear is a must. That means a thick insulated coat, snow pants, a toque, gloves, and a scarf—especially with wind chills nearing -17°C. Waterproof boots with good traction are a must, as snow and blowing snow will make surfaces slippery. Visibility will be an issue, so if you’re driving, bring extra emergency gear just in case you get stuck in a squall.
Sault Ste. Marie Weather Trivia: Snow Squalls – The Winter Surprise
Did you know that snow squalls can cause temperatures to drop by several degrees in just minutes? In Sault Ste. Marie, the heaviest recorded single-day snowfall was 57.2 cm, which fell on December 29, 1990. While today’s storm won’t quite hit that mark, with up to 40 cm possible in some areas, it’s certainly a force to be reckoned with!
