The forecast shifted yesterday afternoon, and the freezing rain that was expected overnight began early this morning. Another significant event of freezing rain will continue through the day today. Despite the shift in timing, the Roads and Parking Services team is always ready to respond!
Forecast and conditions
Environment Canada has issued a Freezing Rain Warning for the Ottawa region. Similar to the freezing rain event on Wednesday, several hours of freezing rain is likely today with ice accretion of 2 to 4 millimetres possible. Freezing rain will change to rain or snow near noon and ending late this afternoon.
Be prepared to adjust to the changing conditions and take extra care when walking, driving or cycling in affected areas. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to quickly accumulating ice.
We encourage those who can, to consider postponing plans today, as travel should be avoided unless it is essential.
Our response
All resources have been deployed to treat icy and slippery conditions on sidewalks, roads, bus routes, the Transitway and winter cycling network. Supervisors will be monitoring the transportation network throughout the day and into the evening, and crews will adjust to the changing conditions. They will also monitor areas that are prone to localized flooding and address any water pooling by ensuring catch basins and ditches are open and able to take in water.
Crews will be travelling slower than usual as freezing rain will cause icy conditions on the transportation network. Please be patient and give them space to work.
Next steps
Roads and Parking Services will continue to monitor this system and the transportation network throughout the day and overnight. The team has responded to two back-to-back freezing rain events and I’d like to acknowledge their dedication, ongoing hard work, and their ability to adjust to challenging weather conditions.
Through the weekend, crews will resume snow removal operations while supervisors will be out monitoring the transportation network. The focus is on arterial and collector roadways throughout the city and residential streets in the urban areas. Crews have also moved into selective residential streets in the suburban areas.
We would like to thank residents for their patience and support as we complete our operations.
