In the heart of spring, as crocuses dared to bloom and residents of Thunder Bay began to tuck away their snow shovels, winter made an uninvited return. April 2, 2025, will be remembered not for budding trees or warming breezes, but for a snowstorm that roared in with the fury of mid-January. What was expected to be a mild start to April instead became a dramatic reminder that in Northwestern Ontario, winter never truly leaves without a fight.
The storm began its descent late on April 1, cloaking the city in a thick, relentless curtain of snow. By the early hours of April 2, snow was falling at an astonishing rate of 3 to 5 centimeters per hour. Roads vanished beneath the white deluge, and visibility plummeted as easterly winds gusted up to 70 kilometers per hour. These powerful gusts turned streets into wind tunnels and open fields into blinding whiteouts. By mid-morning, forecasters warned that Thunder Bay could see up to 30 centimeters of snow—nearly double the previous April snowfall record set in 1994.
As the storm intensified, the city braced for impact. Schools closed, flights were grounded, and emergency services urged residents to stay indoors unless travel was absolutely necessary. The Trans-Canada Highway, a vital artery through the region, became treacherous as snowplows struggled to keep up with the accumulation. Authorities issued travel advisories, asking drivers to avoid the roads and prepare for delays if travel couldn’t be postponed.
But Thunder Bay wasn’t alone in facing the storm’s wrath. This weather system stretched across much of Ontario, compounding the damage left by previous storms. Over 214,000 customers across the province were still without power, and the latest bout of freezing rain and heavy snow threatened to knock out even more lines. Along the shores of Lake Superior, waves surged to heights of 3 to 4 meters, creating hazardous conditions for any vessels caught in the storm’s path.
Meanwhile, in a twist of seasonal irony, Ontario’s 2025 wildfire season officially began on April 1. Yet the blizzard’s icy grip offered a temporary reprieve. With snow blanketing the forest floor and temperatures well below freezing, the immediate risk of wildfires dropped significantly. Still, new outdoor burning regulations were put into effect, requiring all fires to be extinguished within two hours after sunrise to prevent any unexpected flare-ups once the snow melts.
Forecasters predicted the heaviest snow would continue through Wednesday night, gradually tapering off into light flurries by Thursday morning. Temperatures hovered just below freezing, with daytime highs near -1°C and overnight lows dipping to -4°C. Factoring in the wind, it felt more like -12°C—a chilling contrast to the region’s historical highs for early April.
Indeed, April 2 has seen its share of weather extremes over the decades. In 1953, the mercury soared to a balmy 15.7°C, while 1965 brought a bitter -23.3°C. This year’s storm, however, carved its own place in history—not just for its intensity, but for its timing. As Thunder Bay residents bundled up once more and dug their way out, one thing became clear: winter may wear many faces, but it never leaves quietly.
