Brace for Impact: Up to 40 cm of Snow Expected

Sudbury braces for a major winter storm Wednesday into Thursday, with up to 40 cm of snow and blowing winds. Travel will be hazardous—get the latest forecast

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Greater Sudbury and the surrounding areas, with a powerful system set to move in Wednesday evening. This storm could bring between 20 to 40 cm of snow, with peak snowfall rates possibly exceeding 5 cm per hour at times. Northeasterly winds gusting up to 50 km/h will create local blowing snow and significantly reduce visibility.

Travel will be extremely hazardous, and those who must be on the road should be prepared with an emergency kit, warm clothing, and a charged mobile phone.

Current Conditions: The Calm Before the Storm

As of 7:00 AM at Greater Sudbury Airport, it’s a frigid -18°C under partly cloudy skies. A northwest wind at 13 km/h is making it feel even colder, with a wind chill of -26°C. The humidity sits at 69%, and the pressure is 102.6 kPa and rising, indicating stable conditions for now.

Visibility remains strong at 24 km, but don’t get too comfortable—things will change dramatically within the next 36 hours.

Today’s Forecast: Chilly but Quiet

Tuesday will bring a mix of sun and clouds with a 30% chance of early morning flurries before clearing up. Winds will pick up, shifting to northwest at 20 km/h, keeping temperatures feeling much colder than they appear. The high today will only reach -13°C, with wind chills making it feel like -27°C in the morning and -16°C in the afternoon. The UV index is low at 1.

Tonight: Clear and Bitterly Cold

Skies will remain clear overnight, but temperatures will drop sharply to -22°C. Wind speeds will be light, up to 15 km/h, but that won’t stop the wind chill from plunging to -27°C overnight. Bundle up if you’re out late—this is frostbite weather.

Wednesday & Thursday: The Winter Storm Arrives

Wednesday, February 12, starts off deceptively pleasant with sunny skies in the morning. However, by noon, clouds will increase, and by the afternoon, there’s a 40% chance of flurries as the storm begins to move in. Winds will shift to the east at 20 km/h, with a high of -11°C. The wind chill will make it feel like -27°C in the morning and -14°C in the afternoon.

By Wednesday night, the real storm hits. Snow will develop and intensify overnight, with a low of -15°C.

Thursday, February 13, will be a full-blown snow day, with heavy snowfall and gusty winds making travel nearly impossible. The high will reach -10°C, but with wind gusts reaching 50 km/h, blowing snow will create whiteout conditions.

By Thursday night, the storm will begin to weaken, with cloudy periods and a 30% chance of flurries. Temperatures will drop to -20°C.

Looking Ahead: A Chilly but Calmer End to the Week

Friday, February 14, will bring a mix of sun and clouds with a 30% chance of flurries, and a high of -10°C. However, the night could bring another round of snow, with temperatures dipping to -14°C.

What to Wear: Arctic Survival Mode

With wind chills near -27°C today and even colder tonight, thermal layers, insulated winter gear, and full face protection are a must. If you plan to be outside for more than a few minutes, mittens (not gloves), thick socks, and an insulated winter coat will help prevent frostbite. As the storm arrives, waterproof boots and a heavy-duty winter jacket will be necessary for navigating deep snow and blowing drifts.

Sudbury Weather Trivia: When Has It Snowed the Most?

Sudbury is no stranger to massive snowfalls, but one of the biggest February storms happened on February 24, 1966, when a powerful blizzard dumped 56 cm of snow in just over a day! While this week’s storm isn’t expected to break that record, it could easily be one of the biggest of the season.

Stay safe, Sudbury! If you don’t need to be on the roads Wednesday night or Thursday, consider staying home and enjoying the snowfall from indoors.