Ontario is bracing for a challenging day ahead as Greater Sudbury remains under a Freezing Rain Warning on March 20, 2025. Residents can expect icy roads and new snow, leading to hazardous driving conditions.
As of 6:00 AM, temperatures hovered around -0.4°C, accompanied by light freezing rain. The weather service reported a humidity level of 98%, while strong nor’easterly winds at 37 km/h created a wind chill that made it feel like -8°C outside. These conditions set the stage for a messy mix of precipitation throughout the day.
This morning, the freezing rain is expected to accumulate between 2 to 5 mm before transitioning to snow, with forecasts predicting up to 5 cm of fresh snow could blanket the area. Winds are forecasted to escalate, gusting up to 60 km/h, which may lead to local blowing snow and further reduce visibility. "Drive with caution, as blowing snow this afternoon could further reduce visibility," cautioned traffic reports.
Travelers hitting the roads across Ontario are advised to prepare for varied and demanding conditions. In the eastern parts of the province, particularly from Toronto to Sudbury, roads are currently wet and windy, with gusts reaching up to 60 km/h. This mixed bag of weather could drop temperatures from 13°C this morning to just 2°C by the afternoon.
Heading north, Sudbury's roads are forecast to turn increasingly treacherous. With the freezing rain warning, motorists should be particularly cautious on bridges and overpasses, where icy patches are already forming. The significant change in weather has prompted local advisories urging residents to postpone non-essential travel if possible.
Wider conditions across Ontario reveal a more severe situation: a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding areas. Reports indicate that a total snowfall accumulation of 15-25 cm has already been recorded, and with winds gusting from the northwest, visibility on Highway 17 east of the city could significantly worsen due to blowing snow.
In regions along the Highway 11 corridor, conditions began the day at a chilly -10°C. By nightfall, flurries and additional snowfall of 2-4 cm were expected, with winds that could become hazardous for evening drivers. Notably, Thunder Bay started cold and clear at -7°C this morning, but the forecast predicts temperatures will rise to 5°C overnight, only to plummet again the following day, causing concerns over refreezing and black ice.
To the west, Sioux Lookout's morning forecast reads -17°C with clear skies. However, evening predictions show strong winds and flurries developing, which may create dangerous driving conditions as the visibility will be affected. Further south in Dryden and Vermilion Bay, temperatures slightly improved to +3°C, but prepare for a chilly evening returning to sub-zero levels.
As people venture out today, the question looms: are they prepared for the unpredictable nature of Ontario’s spring weather? For those planning to travel, weather officials advise dressing warmly, which includes waterproof boots, heavy coats, hats, and gloves. It’s particularly essential for travelers to keep ice grips handy for shoes since sidewalks and roads will likely continue to slick from the morning’s freezing conditions.
The outlook for the rest of the week remains cold and somewhat grim. By Friday, residents can expect mostly sunny skies in Sudbury, but clouds will roll in by afternoon, bringing a 30% chance of rain showers or flurries. Temperatures will rise to a high of 3°C, yet mornings will still feel like a biting -20°C due to the wind chill. And predictions for the weekend forecast that Saturday could bring further flurries, while Sunday is expected to have a high of only -2°C with a chance of snow again by nightfall.
Looking back at historical weather data for March 20, Sudbury has seen varied and extreme weather patterns. The warmest March 20 clocked in at 15.1°C in 2012, while the coldest dipped dramatically to -27.4°C back in 1956. Today’s mix of freezing rain and snow serves as a stark reminder that the transition to spring can sometimes be deceptively harsh in northern regions.
Overall, those in Ontario must remain vigilant today. As official weather advisories continue to update, staying informed will be key to navigating the icy conditions safely.
