Winter storm warnings issued for Ottawa, wider region
Environment Canada has issued new weather warnings for Ottawa and parts of eastern Ontario and western Quebec as the first big winter snowstorm looms this weekend.
Freezing rain will change to snow Sunday evening in the nation's capital before tapering to flurries Monday morning, the weather agency said in an updated winter storm warning Sunday afternoon.
Ottawa could be hit with up to 15 centimetres of snow, Environment Canada said. The worst is slated for Sunday evening, with possible peak snowfall rates of two to three centimetres per hour.
Highways, roads, sidewalks and parking lots will all become treacherous, while tree branches could snap under the weight of the ice, the weather agency said.
People are being urged to consider postponing any non-essential travel until the weather improves.
Environment Canada's earlier snowfall warning for Ottawa noted that visibility on the roads could be quickly snuffed out if the snow comes down especially hard.
A map showing the extent of Environment Canada's winter storm and snowfall warnings in eastern Ontario and western Quebec as of 4 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2023. (Environment Canada)
Winter parking ban Monday
City crews will be out clearing and treating sidewalks, "priority roads" and the winter cycling network once the snow begins to accumulate, said Quentin Levesque, director of roads and parking services, in a statement Friday.
But with the temperature hovering near the freezing mark, that work could be a bit sluggish, Levesque said.
"We are asking for patience as operations may take longer than normal as the snow is expected to be wet and heavy and crews adjust to the variable weather conditions," Levesque wrote.
In a separate statement Sunday, the city said a parking ban will be in effect across Ottawa on Monday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The hours may be extended if more time is needed to complete winter road operations, the city said. Vehicles found parked on the street during the ban may be ticketed and towed.
As of 4 p.m. Sunday, winter storm and snowfall warnings covered almost all of eastern Ontario, save for Kingston, Belleville and other communities near Lake Ontario.
They were also in place across western Quebec.
