The bulk of the freezing rain from last night is now over and moved out of the Ottawa region early this morning. There remains the chance of isolated freezing drizzle, but clear conditions are expected through the day with a daytime high just above zero. We’re not out of woods just yet, Ottawa, round two is on the way!
Forecast and conditions
The Freezing Rain Warning has now ended for the Ottawa region. Road surface temperatures remain below freezing and the transportation network may be slippery. Residents are reminded to exercise caution as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may be icy, slushy and slippery.
Overnight tonight, freezing rain is expected to return to the region and last until Friday morning. Temperatures are then expected to rise, and precipitation will transition to straight rain later in the morning before clearing out late in the afternoon.
Our response
Supervisors will continue to monitor the conditions of the transportation network throughout the City today. All resources have been deployed and continue to treat icy conditions on sidewalks, roads, bus routes, the Transitway and winter cycling network. Crews will move into residential neighbourhoods this morning to treat icy conditions from last night’s event and to clean up any snowpack and slushy conditions left over from the smaller snow events earlier this week.
With more freezing rain and rain expected, we 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.
Snow removal operations will be paused until the transportation network has been restored.
Next steps
Roads and Parking Services will continue to monitor this system and the transportation network throughout the day and overnight.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we clean up from last night’s freezing rain event. We will provide another update tomorrow after tonight’s event, including our operational plans heading into the weekend.
