From Sub-Zero to Springtime — Northeastern Ontario’s Wild Weather Ride
A Frosty Morning Wake-Up Call
Sudbury starts off this Thursday, May 8, with a brisk and cloudy scene that feels more like early March than mid-spring. At 4:00 AM, the temperature hovers just below freezing at -0.7°C, but with a brisk north-northeast wind blowing at 22 km/h and gusting up to 33 km/h, it feels more like a wintry -6°C. The barometric pressure is on the rise at 102.6 kPa — a promising sign that clearer, more cheerful skies are on the way. Humidity is holding steady at 70%, keeping the air just damp enough to make the cold a little more persistent.
If you’re up early, be warned — the wind chill this morning is sitting around -7°C, so dress like it’s still the tail end of winter. However, relief is coming soon. By late morning, skies will begin to clear, giving Sudburians a healthy dose of sunshine. That northeast wind will still be gusting up to 40 km/h, but with an expected high of 13°C, it’s a day that’ll warm up quickly once the sun takes charge. UV levels are expected to reach 6 — considered high — so a bit of sunscreen isn’t a bad idea if you’re heading out.
A Calm, Clear Night Ahead
As we move into tonight, those clearing skies will stick around, offering up a classic cool spring night. The wind will calm down through the evening, shifting to light as the northeast breeze settles. The overnight low will hover around 0°C — cold enough to give your garden seedlings a reason to shiver, so cover them if you can!
What’s Next: Sunshine, Showers, and Spring Swings
Friday will deliver a full dose of May warmth, with sunny skies and an afternoon high of 18°C. It’s shaping up to be the kind of day where you’ll want to take your lunch outside and maybe even start plotting that first camping trip of the season. Friday night sees some cloudy periods and a 30% chance of showers, with a mild low of 7°C.
Saturday brings a mix of sun and cloud along with a 40% chance of showers and a slightly cooler high of 15°C. But don’t fret — skies will clear again by Saturday night, and temperatures will dip back to 0°C. Spring’s doing its usual dance: two steps forward, one cool step back.
What to Wear Today
Bundle up this morning! A winter jacket, gloves, and maybe even a scarf are smart choices until the sun climbs high enough to tip the thermometer above zero. By afternoon, you can peel back to a lighter jacket or hoodie. Sunglasses will come in handy as things brighten up late morning.
Historic Weather Trivia
On this day in Sudbury’s history, the highest recorded temperature was a warm 27.8°C, back in 1979. On the flip side, the record low was a chilly -6.7°C, set in 1960. So while today’s frosty start may feel out of place, it’s not entirely out of the ordinary for Northern Ontario’s springtime antics.
