Clouds Clear Out As Spring Warms Up the Far North
Current Conditions and Today’s Outlook
Good morning to everyone in Sioux Lookout and Pickle Lake, where the air is crisp, the skies are cloudy, and spring is taking its sweet time. As of 4:00 AM CDT, the temperature sits at -5.3°C, with a slight wind chill dipping it to a frosty -7°C. Winds are currently out of the south-southeast at a gentle 4 km/h—not much of a breeze, but enough to remind you that yes, you still need a coat. Humidity is at 59%, and visibility is a decent 24 km. The barometric pressure is holding at 101.6 kPa but slowly falling, suggesting that changes are afoot.
Today’s forecast brings a bit of a transition. Expect a mix of sun and cloud through the morning, gradually clearing late this afternoon. As the sun works its way in, winds will pick up from the southeast at 20 km/h. Temperatures will rise to a respectable high of 7°C, though don’t be fooled—the morning starts off with a wind chill making it feel more like -13°C. The UV index will reach 4, so sunglasses and a touch of sunscreen aren’t out of the question once the clouds give way.
Tonight and the Days Ahead
Tonight will be mainly clear with just a few lingering clouds and winds settling at around 15 km/h. It’s going to be a cold one—temperatures will drop to -11°C, and the wind chill will feel like -13°C overnight. Might be a good evening to tuck into a blanket with a hot cup of something comforting.
On Thursday, expect more of that spring optimism. A mix of sun and cloud will give way to full sunshine by late morning, and the high will reach 9°C. But bundle up in the early hours—a brisk wind chill of -15°C will greet anyone heading out early. Thursday night brings cloudy periods and a low of -4°C.
Friday continues this upward trend with a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 11°C. Friday night brings more clouds and a slightly warmer low of +1°C.
The weekend? Well, the clouds aren’t quite done yet. Saturday and Sunday are looking mostly cloudy with a 30 to 40% chance of showers. Highs will range from 12°C to 13°C—still a win, all things considered. Expect nighttime lows to hover around +1°C to +2°C.
Historical Weather Snapshot
On this date, Sioux Lookout has historically experienced the extremes of April’s personality. The warmest April 9th on record soared to 18.5°C in 1981, while the coldest plunged to a bone-chilling -23.0°C in 1972. So really, today’s weather is downright reasonable in the grand scheme of things.
What to Wear
Morning layers are essential! With wind chills hitting the -13 to -15°C range, gloves, a scarf, and a warm hat are your best allies early on. As the day progresses and the sun makes its appearance, you can swap out the parka for a lighter spring jacket—but maybe keep it within reach.
Weather Trivia: The Cold Comes With a Story
Did you know that Pickle Lake is the most northerly community in Ontario with year-round road access? That far north, spring tends to knock gently rather than kick in the door, so this slow transition from snow to sunshine is par for the course.
