From Snowflakes to Sunshine – Ontario’s Holiday Weekend Packs It All
Thunder Bay – Weather – As the Victoria Day long weekend unfolds across Northern Ontario, it’s shaping up to be a real mixed bag of weather delights – and a few weather headaches. From soggy showers and icy pellets to a refreshing burst of sunshine just in time for the holiday Monday, you’ll want to pack everything from rain boots to sunglasses. Here’s your detailed forecast from the Weather Desk team.
Sudbury: Showers, Thunder Risk, and a Long Weekend Temperature See-Saw
Sudbury is waking up to a cloudy Saturday, with a 60 percent chance of showers and the risk of a thunderstorm keeping folks on their toes. Winds will swing around to the southwest at 20 km/h by late afternoon. The high is forecast at 19°C, though a sneaky temperature drop will see it slip to 16°C in the afternoon. The UV index sits at a moderate 5. Saturday night stays cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and a low of 3°C.
Sunday brings a cooler tone, with a mix of sun and cloud and a 30 percent chance of showers. The high struggles to reach 11°C, and by Sunday night, skies clear and the mercury drops to -1°C. But fear not, Monday brings back sunshine and a more pleasant 13°C, with a clear and chilly night of 3°C.
Sudbury’s normal for this time of year is 18°C by day and 6°C at night, making this weekend a little on the brisk side.
Sault Ste. Marie: From Stormy Showers to Sunny Smiles
In the Soo, Saturday is bringing showers and a risk of thunderstorms, with winds becoming northwesterly at 30 km/h by late morning. Expect a high of 13°C under a UV index of 3. Saturday night offers cloudy periods and a 40 percent chance of showers, with the temperature dipping to 5°C.
Sunday stays cloudy with a lingering 30 percent chance of showers and a high of 10°C. Sunday night clears up, cooling all the way to 0°C. Victoria Day Monday will bring bright skies and a more cheerful high of 13°C, with a crisp, clear night at 3°C.
The Soo’s historical averages are 17°C for highs and 4°C for lows, making this year’s celebration cooler than usual.
Geraldton: Windy, Wet, and Wild Temperature Swings
Geraldton kicks off the weekend under cloudy skies, with a 40 percent chance of showers in the early morning, then shifting to periods of rain or drizzle and a risk of thunder. Northern winds will howl at 30 km/h, gusting to 50. The high is a cool 9°C but expect a rare May plunge to 2°C by afternoon. The UV index is low at 2.
Saturday night stays cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and a frigid low of -3°C. Sunday sees the return of the sun, though temperatures barely climb to 9°C. Sunday night is clear but remains icy at -3°C. Monday’s sunny skies bring hope with a high of 13°C and a zero-degree clear night.
Geraldton usually expects 17°C highs and 2°C lows this time of year – but Mother Nature has other plans.
Sioux Lookout: Ice Pellets, Flurries, and a Victoria Day Turnaround
Sioux Lookout is experiencing periods of ice pellets or rain early Saturday, changing to cloudy conditions with a 40 percent chance of flurries. Northern winds will howl at 30 km/h, gusting to 50, with the mercury stuck near 2°C all day. The UV index is 3.
Saturday night stays cloudy with a low of -1°C. But the weekend improves, with Sunday bringing clearing skies and a high of 11°C. Sunday night stays clear with the same frosty low of -1°C. By Monday, Victoria Day will be all sunny skies and 15°C warmth, with a mild low of 3°C overnight.
Normals for Sioux Lookout are a comfortable 18°C by day and 5°C by night – but not this weekend.
Dryden: From Rain to Ice Pellets, Flurries, and Finally, Sunshine
Dryden starts with periods of rain switching to ice pellets and ending by noon, before clouds take over with a 30 percent chance of flurries or showers. North winds at 20 km/h gusting to 40 will keep the temperature steady near 2°C. The UV index is 3.
Saturday night remains cloudy with a chilly -1°C low. Sunday stays under clouds but warms slightly to 11°C. Sunday night clears with a zero-degree low. Monday will be the highlight of the weekend, offering sunny skies and a lovely 16°C high, with a clear 3°C night.
Dryden’s normals are 18°C highs and 5°C lows, but the weekend will be colder than the May norm.
Fort Frances: Icy Pellets, Showers, and a Pleasant Victoria Day
Fort Frances will juggle periods of rain and ice pellets through Saturday morning, with clouds lingering into the afternoon alongside a 30 percent chance of flurries or rain showers. North winds at 20 km/h, gusting to 40, will hold temperatures near 5°C. The UV index is 3.
Saturday night will be cloudy with a low of 1°C. Sunday will bring clearing skies and a high of 11°C. Sunday night remains clear, dropping to zero. Victoria Day Monday will finally deliver sunny skies and a high of 15°C. Monday night will see increasing cloudiness, with a low of 5°C.
Fort Frances typically enjoys 19°C highs and 6°C lows this time of year, but the weekend will stay on the cool side.
Kenora: Ice Pellets, Flurries, and Sunny Hope for Monday
Kenora will endure periods of ice pellets or rain early Saturday, followed by cloudy skies and a 40 percent chance of flurries. North winds will gust up to 50 km/h, keeping the high at a chilly 4°C. The UV index is 3.
Saturday night is cloudy with a low of -1°C. Sunday will finally clear with a high of 11°C, and a clear night will follow with a low of 1°C. Victoria Day Monday will bask in sunshine and a much-improved high of 16°C. Clouds will creep back Monday night with a low of 6°C.
Kenora’s normals are 18°C and 7°C, so the cold will be noticeable for outdoor plans.
Wardrobe Advice for the Whole Region
This weekend is a wardrobe roulette wheel: waterproof jackets, toques, mitts (yes, even in May), and sturdy boots for Saturday. Sunday demands layers and warm accessories, especially for the frosty nights. Victoria Day Monday will finally reward the patient with lighter spring attire – think windbreakers and sunglasses.
Ontario Weather Trivia: Did You Know?
Sioux Lookout once saw snow on May 24th in 1963 – a frosty reminder that the May long weekend is no guarantee of summer warmth in Northern Ontario.
