Ottawa Braces for Prolonged Cold Snap with Persistent Snow Flurries
Environment Canada has issued a stern warning for Ottawa residents as the city grapples with an extended period of bitterly cold temperatures and ongoing snow flurries. The national weather agency has implemented a new color-coded alert system this year to help Canadians better understand and respond to weather conditions, with Ottawa currently under two yellow alerts as of Sunday morning.
New Color Alert System Provides Clarity
The recently introduced weather alert system categorizes conditions into three distinct levels. Yellow alerts represent the most common warnings, indicating significant but manageable weather events. Orange alerts signify more serious conditions requiring increased caution, while red alerts represent the most severe warnings for potentially dangerous weather situations. Ottawa's current yellow alerts highlight the persistent nature of the winter conditions affecting the capital region.
Dangerous Temperatures and Frostbite Risks
Sunday's weather presents particularly hazardous conditions, with temperatures expected to reach a high of only -17°C. The wind chill factor dramatically intensifies the cold, making it feel like -36°C during the afternoon hours. This extreme wind chill significantly raises the risk of frostbite to exposed skin within minutes. While winds are forecast to diminish somewhat by Sunday afternoon, the wind chill is still expected to make temperatures feel like -27°C.
Significant Snow Accumulation Expected
The snow situation is equally concerning, with flurries expected to intensify throughout Sunday afternoon. Environment Canada predicts 10 to 15 centimeters of new snow accumulation by the end of the day, adding to existing snowpack and creating challenging travel conditions across the region.
Extended Forecast Shows Little Relief
The cold pattern shows no signs of breaking in the coming days. Monday will bring additional snowfall that should taper off around noon, followed by cloudy conditions with a 40 percent chance of flurries. The mercury is expected to plunge to approximately -25°C overnight.
From Tuesday through Thursday, Ottawa residents should prepare for:
- Continued cloudy conditions with intermittent flurries
- High temperatures hovering around -11°C
- Overnight lows dropping to -25°C
The prolonged nature of this cold snap, combined with regular snow events, creates ongoing challenges for transportation, infrastructure, and public safety. Environment Canada emphasizes that residents should take appropriate precautions, including dressing in layers, covering exposed skin, and monitoring weather updates regularly through official channels.
