The warmth will be short-lived as a powerful cold front sweeps through Tuesday night, ushering in lake effect snow and sharply colder temperatures for the rest of the workweek
Sault Ste. Marie finds itself in a transitional weather pattern this week as a parade of clipper systems tracks across the Great Lakes region. Light snow affecting eastern areas this morning will give way to a brief quiet spell. The warmth will be short-lived as a powerful cold front sweeps through Tuesday night, ushering in lake effect snow and sharply colder temperatures for the rest of the workweek.
Cloudy skies will persist through Monday with temperatures struggling to reach 0°C. Southwest winds of 15km/h, gusting to 25km/h, in the morning will gradually diminish through the afternoon as high pressure begins to build from the south. Overnight lows will dip to -3°C under mostly cloudy skies with winds becoming calm.
Tuesday brings a significant change; the northern edge of a clipper system tracking across southern Ontario will bring mixed precipitation to our region. The morning will be particularly tricky, as temperatures hover near or just below freezing between 6-9am, potentially leading to freezing drizzle or light freezing rain before surface temperatures climb above zero. Areas of fog and freezing fog are also possible during the early to mid-morning hours as moisture increases. As temperatures rise into the low positive range during the day, precipitation will transition from a snow and freezing rain mix to possibly rain, though I expect more snow. 2-4cm of snow possible before/if there’s a changeover to rain. A strong cold front will sweep through in the evening, bringing an abrupt end to the mild weather.
Wednesday will feature a dramatic temperature plunge as arctic air floods in behind Tuesday’s cold front, with highs struggling to reach -12°C and overnight lows falling to -15°C. Lake-effect snow is likely, with 5-10cm possible throughout the day.
Squalls should weaken on Thursday with some sunshine, but daytime highs again struggle to reach -12°C. Another Clipper system arrives at the end of the week, bringing another dusting of snow and slightly warmer air.