Did someone say spring? Officially yes, but Mother Nature has other ideas in store for us. Environment Canada has issued a Freezing Rain Warning for the Ottawa region. There is a possibility of 2 to 4 millimetres of ice build up on untreated surfaces by Thursday morning.
Forecast and Conditions
Periods of freezing rain are expected to start this evening and continue through the evening, with periods of snow mixed with freezing rain possible and winds up to 15 kilometres per hour. Freezing rain is expected to transition to rain by Thursday morning with 10 to 15 millimetres possible.
The fluctuating temperatures and various forms of precipitation could create slippery conditions - residents are reminded to exercise caution while using all of our transportation networks.
Our Response
The Roads and Parking Services team continue to operate 24/7 and our night shift is ready! Supervisors will be out throughout this evening and overnight to monitor conditions. As the precipitation moves in, we will keep a close eye on sidewalks, roads, and the winter cycling network and deploy resources as needed. With the incoming rain, 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.
Ahead of this event, we are asking residents who are able, to please clear their local catch basin to allow water to drain from the roadway. With over 100,000 catch basins in the city, we cannot do it alone and would appreciate any support you can offer. Can’t do it yourself? You may report a blocked catch basin by creating an online service request by visiting Ottawa.ca or by calling 3-1-1.
Next Steps
Our focus today will remain on pothole repairs and addressing localized drainage issues and once precipitation begins, crews will be out treating the transportation network.
