Temperatures are starting to drop in Ottawa as a “monster” winter storm hits the capital. Rain turns to snow and wet surfaces will begin to freeze.
A temperature of -1 C was recorded at Ottawa Airport at 3 p.m., a drop of three degrees from 2 C at 2 p.m. The weather agency expects the temperature to reach – 4 C at 6 pm and -8 C at 10 pm, according to the hourly forecast.
Wind gusts of up to 52 km/ha have also been recorded at 3 pm
Environment Canada reports 15.6 mm of total precipitation at Ottawa Airport as of 1 p.m., which includes the water equivalent of 6 cm of snow seen at 7 a.m. and the rain and ice pellets that fell since then.
With the fast freeze upon us, city road crews will switch to salt roads and prevent the water from freezing.
City of Ottawa Roads Manager Bryden Denyes told reporters Friday morning that one of the main challenges facing the city was warming temperatures and rain ahead of a possible flash freeze in due to the drop in temperature.
“We’re dealing with pools of water,” he said. “With the rain and warmer temperatures, we’re seeing a lot of water build-up. We’re working to get it off the roads before it freezes.”
Denyes said he was confident salting would make a difference on roads once the freeze sets in because, while temperatures will drop significantly, they aren’t expected to reach a level where salt is no longer effective.
Ottawa police reported 27 collisions between midnight and 3 p.m., most of which involved vehicles running off the road, Sgt. Amy Gagnon told Newstalk 580 CFRA “Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron” with more collisions expected as roads freeze.
The storm began in downtown Ottawa with a wintry mix of precipitation Thursday evening, with some snow as well as sleet and freezing rain in some areas. Weather advisories remain in effect for Ottawa and all of eastern Ontario and people are being urged to stay indoors as a major winter storm bears down on the region during one of the travel times busiest of the year.
Environment Canada’s updated winter storm warning for Ottawa Friday morning called for up to an additional 15 centimeters of snow Saturday morning, wind gusts of up to 80 km/h and a quick freeze that produced icy surfaces and slippery Wind chill values near -20 are also possible.
“Temperatures are expected to plummet this afternoon leading to possible freezing. The rapid drop in temperatures will be accompanied by snow and strong winds, leading to snowfall,” the weather agency said.
The City of Ottawa has declared a major weather event and is urging people to stay indoors on Friday “unless absolutely necessary.” Denyes says if you must drive, adapt to the conditions.
GENERAL ENERGY CUT-OFFS
The arrival of the storm caused widespread power outages in Ottawa and the region.
Hydro Ottawa said it had restored power to about 98,000 customers across the city as of 2 p.m. Friday, but 8,600 were still without power.
“With temperatures expected to drop today, bringing a possible flash freeze for places that receive rain, accompanied at times by strong winds and snow, could cause additional power outages and damage to our infrastructure,” he said the company in a statement Friday morning. The utility updates its outage map every 15 minutes and will also post updates on social media.
Hydro One reported more than 10,000 customers without power in eastern Ontario as of 2 p.m. Friday, down from more than 30,000 a few hours earlier. The company said high winds are causing system problems across the province and road conditions are posing accessibility issues for crews looking to restore power.
Estimated restoration times for the region vary, with the latest being Saturday at 11 p.m.
Hydro Quebec said as of 2:30 p.m. Friday more than 33,000 customers in the Outaouais region were without power.
CITY SERVICES FOR HOMELESS RESIDENTS
The City of Ottawa says it has expanded its network of homeless services, facilities and supports for today’s major weather event and throughout the winter season.
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Paul Lavigne, manager of homeless programs and shelters, said the city continues to offer additional emergency shelter options at the shelter at 75 Nicholas St., the Jim Durrell Arena at 1265 Walkley Rd. and the Dempsey community. Center at 1895 Russell Rd. to support the additional demands of the community-based shelter system.
“These measures were put in place to ensure we have capacity for anyone who wants to come indoors during extreme cold and weather events, like the current one,” Lavigne wrote. “In addition, our network of outreach services will continue to engage those sleeping rough, to provide supplies, such as cold weather gear, and connect to emergency shelter facilities as needed.” .
Lavigne says any resident who wants to request a shelter placement can call 3-1-1 any time of the day or night. Similarly, any resident who sees someone sleeping without a coat who they believe may need assistance can call 3-1-1 and request that the Salvation Army outreach van visit the person or call 9-1- 1 if the person requires emergency assistance.
CANCELLATION AND CLOSURES
The City of Ottawa closes all recreational and cultural facilities on Friday. Customer service centers and other counter services will also be closed, as well as municipal nurseries. Visit this page for more information on municipal services.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board have canceled schools for Friday.
All schools, virtual classes, programs and offices will be closed Friday, both departments said early Thursday afternoon.
“Students and staff should stay home. Transportation will also be canceled,” the OCSB said in a statement.
The Upper Canada District School Board is also closing all schools and canceling school transportation on Friday.
Due to the severe weather conditions expected tomorrow, all #UCDSB schools will be CLOSED and all school transportation will be canceled for Friday, December 23rd.
Happy Holidays and be safe. pic.twitter.com/sULOF10Ob9
— UCDSB (@UCDSB) December 22, 2022
Le Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, the French Catholic School Board in Ottawa, has canceled all schools on Friday. The exceptions are the Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) and the Personalized Virtual Education Center (CEPV), which will continue as virtual learning.
CEPEO, Ottawa’s French public board, is also closing all schools on Friday.
The Ottawa Senators game against the Detroit Red Wings scheduled for Friday night has been postponed.
The Ottawa Christmas Market and 613flea are also canceled on Friday due to the storm.
All Ottawa Public Library branches are closed Friday due to the storm. All OPL Bookmobile stops will also be cancelled.
Due dates for regular library items are extended to December 27th, and expiration dates for hold collections will be extended to January 2nd. The books remain open. The offices are expected to reopen on Saturday.
The Nature Museum is closed on Friday due to the storm. Reserved ticket holders will receive an automatic refund.
Ottawa Public Health says its vaccination clinics, neighborhood health and wellness centres, dental clinics and Clarence Street clinics will close from 1pm due to the weather. The mobile harm reduction van will not be operating on Friday evening.
“Those with appointments this afternoon will be contacted to assist with re-booking,” OPH said on Twitter.
THE CITY DECLARES “IMPORTANT WEATHER EVENT”
The City of Ottawa has declared a major weather event and has put in place a winter parking ban from 10 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday.
City crews will be maintaining the city’s roads, sidewalks and bike lanes, but say it may take longer than usual to clear them.
“They should avoid traveling during this time,” the city said in a news release. “Anyone who needs to travel during this event is asked to plan ahead and allow themselves extra travel time.”
OC Transpo said on Twitter that Confederation Line trains ran overnight Thursday to clear snow and help prevent ice build-up and that it is running without delays as of Friday morning. Many articulated buses have been taken off the roads in anticipation of the storm and scheduled Para Transpo trips are being delivered. The teams have also been platforms and paths prior to the salaáón.
Bus, O-Train and Para Transpo:
⛔️All school routes are cancelled. ⚠️ Expect delays on bus routes due to road conditions ✅ The O-Train is running, no delays. ✅The scheduled trips of #ParaTranspo are being delivered.
— OC Transpo (@OC_Transpo) December 23, 2022
Crews have also been scraping snowpack on residential streets in anticipation of the different types of precipitation the storm could bring.
– with files from Tyler Fleming, Natalie van Rooy, CTV News Ottawa