Sudbury expected to see snowstorm in midst of mild winter

A major snowstorm is expected to blanket parts of northeastern Ontario with snow over the next day or so but that doesn't explain the relatively mild weather Sudbury has been experiencing lately.

A special weather statement has been issued by Environment Canada for Greater Sudbury and surrounding areas that calls for a "mixed bag of winter weather in store for northeastern Ontario starting tonight and persisting Wednesday." Expect a gusty, messy commute with 5 to 10 centimetres tonight with another 5 centimetres slated to accumulate tomorrow. 

But the upcoming blizzard appears to be a blip in the radar for this winter season in northern Ontario. For Sudbury residents such as Summer Southwind, mild temperatures decrease the odds of her going sledding with her three-year-old son. 

• Winter storm to blast northeastern Ontario Tuesday night

"When it's all slushy outside, I don't like to take him out because it gets too wet and he gets wet all over the place," Southwind said.

Popular winter sites such as the Ramsey Lake skate path and the Queens Athletic Field oval are currently out of operation because of the relative warmth. Even Sudbury's annual pond hockey festival has been cancelled due to poor ice conditions. 

But if you're eager to enjoy all the activities that come with winter, just wait. Environment Canada's Peter Kimbell told CBC News that conditions are about to change.

"We do have winter coming back in a big way beginning Tuesday night and into Wednesday," he said.

Despite the looming snow, Environment Canada said they are still seeing long-term forecasts that include warmer temperatures than normally expected for February. 

Regardless of what happens, residents such as Michael Lovsin said he is ready for whatever the skies may bring. 

"We all have snowblowers, we're used to it," he said. "We're northern Ontario, that's part of life here."