Residents in several Ottawa communities are being urged to exercise caution as Environment Canada has issued a significant freezing rain warning. The national weather agency has placed Ottawa North, Kanata, and Orléans under the alert, anticipating hazardous conditions that are expected to persist through the night.
Weather Forecast and Expected Impact
The warning comes as surface temperatures across the Ottawa River valley hover dangerously close to the freezing mark. Environment Canada forecasts 2 to 5 millimetres of ice accumulation from late afternoon into tonight. The ice will form as showers move through the region, freezing immediately upon contact with colder surfaces like roads, sidewalks, and vehicles.
Early afternoon readings from the Ottawa airport confirmed temperatures were just below zero, accompanied by an east wind and falling barometric pressure. The agency expects periods of freezing rain to continue through the evening before transitioning to drizzle after midnight.
Extended Forecast and Safety Precautions
The unsettled weather is set to continue into the new week. Sunday will begin with drizzle or freezing drizzle, later changing to flurries. Afternoon temperatures will drop to around -2°C, with a biting wind chill making it feel closer to -7°C.
Monday will remain cloudy with a high near 0°C, followed by an overcast Tuesday with a slight rise to 1°C. The first break in this system is not expected until Wednesday, which should see a sunny start.
Environment Canada emphasizes that freezing rain creates a hard-to-see, fine layer of ice on roads, sidewalks, and windshields, creating extremely slippery conditions. Residents are advised to adjust travel plans, allow extra time for commuting, and exercise extreme caution when walking or driving.
