Ottawa will see a “real transition” in the weather over the next 36 hours, with heavy rain and mild temperatures today, followed snow and cold temperatures returning Thursday evening.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Ottawa, warning a Colorado low will bring 15 to 25 mm of rain today and tonight.
“Rain, heavy at times, and mild temperatures are expected today,” the weather agency said in a statement.
“The frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall. Rapidly falling temperatures, strong winds, snow and local blowing snow Thursday.”
The forecast calls for 5 to 10 mm of rain today, with another 5 to 10 mm of rain tonight.
Environment Canada says Ottawa there will be a “real transition” in the weather on Thursday, with the return of snow and cold temperatures.
“Potentially big impacts for the drive home Thursday afternoon with snow blowing, colder conditions and slippery conditions,” Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CTV News Ottawa.
“A lot of that rain that will have fallen today and into early Thursday morning could become ice with those colder temperatures.”
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is warning the warm temperatures and heavy rain may cause water levels to rise and make the ice unstable.
“There’s no imminent risk of flooding on the river,” Isabelle Maltais of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority told CTV Morning Live.
“At this stage, with the warmer temperatures and the forecasted rain, we’re more concern with water safety for today. It may create slippery and unsafe banks and unsafe, unstable ice conditions.”
The National Capital Commission has closed the Rideau Canal Skateway until further notice due to the rain and mild temperatures in the forecast.
Ottawa received 6 cm of snow on Tuesday.
Coulson says Ottawa will see some spring-like weather next week.
“We were seeing a really dramatic shift in the weather pattern as we head into March Break next week,” Coulson said.
“It looks like spring could really arrive for a number of days starting next week. A number of the longer-range forecast models talking about a warm up during March Break next week, and that warm up perhaps continuing for the next few weeks as well.”
City asks residents to help clear catch basins
With the rain and mild temperatures in the forecast, the City of Ottawa is pausing snow removal operations on Wednesday to deal with the conditions.
“Resources will be reallocated to address icy conditions on the transportation network and drainage issues,” the city said in a statement. “Once the system has moved out of the region, crews will be able to return to snow removal operations.”
The city is asking people to ensure their catch basin is clear and able to take in water.
“In preparation for this rain event, crews have been proactively opening up catch basins,” the city said. “With over 100,000 catch basins in the city, we cannot do it alone and would appreciate any support you can offer.”
Gatineau Park
The National Capital Commission is asking people to stay off the trail network in Gatineau Park due to the weather.
“It’s that time of year again. As you can imagine, things are a bit damp in Gatineau Park,” the NCC said on X.
“All activities on the trail network will not be recommended as of 12 p.m. today, Wednesday, March 5.”
School buses
School buses are cancelled in Pembroke, Ont. today due to the weather conditions.
The Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium says buses are cancelled for the Renfrew County District School Board, Renfrew County Catholic District School Board and the French school board in Pembroke today “due to ongoing freezing rain with mixed precipitation forecasted throughout the day.”
Buses are running across the rest of the board.
Ottawa forecast
The forecast calls for rain to begin late this morning. Five to 10 mm of rain expected today. High 5 C.
Periods of rain mixed with drizzle tonight. Amount 5 to 10 mm. Temperature steady near 3 C.
Thursday will see a few rain showers and drizzle changing to periods of snow. Temperature falling to 0 C in the afternoon.
Cold temperatures return Thursday night, with flurries and a low of -8 C.
Friday will see sunshine. High 2 C.
The outlook for Saturday calls for a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 per cent chance of flurries. High -2 C.
Environment Canada says temperatures will drop to -12 C Saturday night and -11 C on Sunday night.
The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 0 C and a low of -9 C.
Water levels expected to rise
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is urging people to be careful around lakes and rivers, with water levels expected to rise due to the mild weather and rain.
Officials say, “significant flooding is not anticipated at this time,” but ice conditions may become unstable.
“Warmer temperatures and rainfall will initiate snowmelt, increasing runoff and contributing to higher water levels across the watershed,” the conservation authority said in a statement.
“Rising water levels and faster flows may weaken ice cover, leading to hazardous conditions near lakes, rivers, and streams (slippery or unstable banks). Ice may become unsafe for recreational activities, and shifting ice could pose risks to infrastructure.”
Maltais tells CTV Morning Live the return of cold temperatures may slow down the snow melt.
“We are still a little bit above average,” Maltais said about the snowpack in early March. “We’re going to see some melt today with the warmer temperatures and the rain. We’re going into sub-zero temperatures tomorrow, so it may help to slow down the melting a little bit.”
“For our Rideau Valley watershed, as of today, there is no concerns.”
