THUNDER BAY – WEATHER & TRAVEL – Ontario is in full spring swing—or at least trying to be—as the weekend kicks off with a mixed bag of weather across the province. From freezing drizzle and morning flurries in the northwest to sunnier skies emerging through the weekend, travellers need to pack both patience and preparedness.
Whether you’re road-tripping to Thunder Bay, heading south toward Toronto, or navigating the scenic drives around Kenora, Fort Frances, or Sudbury, it’s a weekend where checking your route before you hit the road is key.
Ontario’s official road condition site, 511ON.ca, should be your co-pilot to help monitor travel hazards, road closures, and construction updates in real time.
Northwestern Ontario: Slippery Starts, Sunny Finishes
It’s a cold and occasionally slippery morning across northwestern towns like Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, and Fort Frances. Light snow and freezing drizzle have been reported in several areas, especially early Saturday, with visibility dropping and roads slick in spots. Fortunately, most of these regions will see clearing skies by this afternoon and a warmer, sunnier Sunday ahead.
In Kenora, today’s high of 7°C leads into a Sunday high of 16°C—perfect for a day on Lake of the Woods (after scraping the frost off the boat seats). Dryden and Fort Frances follow a similar trend, with Saturday mornings starting below zero but Sunday bouncing back into double digits.
Roads in these areas may be icy or damp this morning, especially in shaded or untreated spots. Use caution on Highways 17 and 11, and keep tabs on updates from 511ON.ca for localized advisories or fog warnings.
Northeastern Ontario: Chilly Now, Calmer Later
Over in Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, and Geraldton, early morning fog, freezing drizzle, and light snow made for a treacherous start to the weekend. In Sudbury, temperatures barely scrape above 6°C today before plunging to -6°C tonight with a wind chill near -9. Sault Ste. Marie is also chilly, windy, and misty to start, though clearing skies arrive late today with Sunday bringing full sunshine and a high of 10°C.
Geraldton, still brushing off the morning’s light snow, will also see sunshine later today and a return to seasonal highs by Sunday, with gusty southern winds pushing the temperature close to 9°C.
Road conditions across these regions may be icy early on, especially in rural and higher elevation areas. Fog is also a concern in early hours—watch for reduced visibility along Highway 17 and Highway 101. Again, 511ON.ca remains your best tool for live traffic cams and road condition alerts.
Northern Hubs: Thunder Bay & Greenstone Region
Thunder Bay is seeing a classic April cocktail—clouds, freezing drizzle risk, and the ever-present chance of flurries. Roads may be slick early this morning, particularly secondary and rural routes. The sun makes a bold return Sunday with a high of 9°C and calm winds—a perfect reprieve for Sunday drivers or brunch-goers. Watch for fog patches developing overnight and lingering into early Sunday.
Southern Ontario: Windy Warm-Up After a Stormy Start
Down in Toronto, the day began with gusty winds and a risk of thunderstorms—yes, spring in the south is just as dramatic. By the afternoon, wind gusts of up to 50 km/h will blow through the GTA as temperatures climb to a high of 21°C. Tonight brings a steep drop to +2°C, and Sunday sees much cooler temps with a sunny high of 13°C.
While the southern roads are free of snow and ice, high winds and wet pavement from overnight showers may affect highway travel—particularly on the 400-series highways and open stretches of the QEW and 401. Watch for flying debris, especially in construction zones.
Wardrobe and Travel Tips for the Weekend
If you’re hitting the road this weekend, dress in layers. Mornings across most of Ontario will feel like winter, with wind chills near -10°C in areas like Geraldton and Sioux Lookout, while southern cities will need a windbreaker more than a parka. By Sunday, much of the province warms up enough for spring jackets—finally.
Pack extra water, snacks, and phone chargers for rural or long drives, especially with fog, freezing drizzle, and slick spots possible through Saturday morning. And don’t forget the sunglasses—Sunday’s sunshine across much of Ontario will be a welcome change, but it’ll be blinding after so many grey skies.
Final Word: Know Before You Go
This weekend’s travel conditions across Ontario run the full spring spectrum—from slick and snowy to sun-soaked and gusty. Whether you’re heading out on Highway 17, cruising the 401, or winding through northern backroads, your safest bet is to check 511ON.ca before you go. Pack for all seasons, drive defensively, and enjoy a weekend that finally starts to feel like spring—well, mostly.
