10-20 cms of snow expected in Ottawa, snowfall warning and winter weather parking ban issued

Ottawa’s cold warning has lifted, but frigid temperatures remain, and a snowfall warning has been issued for the area. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

Ottawa is due for 10 to 20 centimetres of snow beginning on Sunday, prompting Environment Canada to issue a yellow warning – snowfall for the area and the City of Ottawa to issue a winter weather parking ban on Monday.

Environment Canada says the heavy snow is expected to begin Sunday afternoon and continue though Monday morning.

“Travel will likely be challenging. Roads and walkways will likely be difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow,” Environment Canada wrote. “Allow extra time for travel.”

Environment Canada says the Monday morning commute may be impacted by the weather conditions.

• Hourly and 7-day forecast on our CTVNewsOttawa.ca weather hub

Ottawa police are reminding drivers to take precautions while on the roads. Police say drivers should:

• Avoid unnecessary travel.
• Give themselves extra time to arrive at their destination.
• Ensure their car lights are on so other drivers can see them.
• Clear the windows, mirrors, lights and roof of their vehicles before driving.
• Slow down.
• Increase the distance between vehicles on the road.
• Ensure their car has sufficient fuel and washer fluid and working windshield wipers.
• Pack an emergency kit including a flashlight, blanket, snacks, water, jumper cables and first aid.
• Use winter tires.

Public Safety Canada says when severe weather is on the forecast, drivers should avoid unnecessary travel until the storm has passed.

David Phillips, Environment Canada senior climatologist, says the area is likely to experience strong winds in addition to snow.

“You may see 10 to 20 centimetres of snow with winds that will be 20 gusting to 40 kilometres per hour,” Phillips told CTV News.

A yellow warning-snowfall is in effect for much of easter Ontario and western Quebec.

This is the second yellow warning issued for Ottawa this week. A yellow warning- cold was in effect on Friday and Saturday, as temperatures nearly reached -30 C.

While the cold warning is no longer in effect, Phillips says Ottawa’s current stretch of frigid weather may continue for another few weeks.

“This latest cold spell has been lasting about seven days. It’s got all this week to go, and I look next week, and I see it there too. So it could be three weeks of below normal — well below normal — freezing temperatures," Phillips said.

“I think the longest spell that we’ve had of cold weather, so far this winter was nine days, this one could be 21 days and counting.”

Parking bans in effect Monday

The City of Ottawa says a winter weather parking ban will be in effect on Monday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

“During a winter weather parking ban, parking is prohibited on city streets so crews can plow easily and effectively,” the city wrote in a statement.

“Vehicles parked on the street during a ban may be ticketed and towed. On-street monthly parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction when they are parked in residential parking permit zones.”

Residents can find parking at some OC Transpo park and rides as well as some recreation centres. Some city garages will be available, though parking may be restricted during certain hours.

Some main streets are exempt from parking restrictions and a list of those streets can be found on the City of Ottawa website.

For more information on alternative parking options, visit the city’s Winter Parking webpage.

The City of Gatineau has issued an overnight parking ban to allow for snow clearing, restricting parking between 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Monday.

For more information on the Gatineau parking ban, visit the City of Gatineau’s snow clearing webpage.

Flight disruptions

The winter storm has caused over over 10,500 flights to be cancelled across the United States and Toronto Pearson International Airport has cancelled approximately 60 per cent of Sunday’s arrivals and departures.

Several flights arriving and departing the Ottawa International Airport have been cancelled or delayed.

“A number of flights have already been impacted by the storm that is making its way towards Ottawa. We always encourage passengers to check their flight status before making their way to the airport,” Krista Kealey, vice president of communications and public consultations with the Ottawa International Airport Authority, said in a statement to CTV News.

“Our teams are prepared and working hard to keep the airside clean and clear for our airlines and ground handlers.”

As of 3:30 p.m., the Ottawa Airport’s flight page indicates:

• Of the airport’s 36 upcoming departures, 11 have been cancelled and three have been delayed.
• Of the airport’s 44 upcoming arrivals, 18 have been cancelled and 11 have been delayed.

To view the status of incoming and outgoing flights at the Ottawa Airport, visit yow.ca.

Advice for pet-owners

The cold warning has lifted for Ottawa, but the windchill will still reach –27 on Sunday, so pet-owners should take precautions when bringing their animals outside.

Dr. Ahmad Elghoboshy, a veterinarian with the Ottawa Walk-In Animal Hospital, says dog-owners should watch for signs of hypothermia, including shaking, uncomfortableness and searching for heat.

Dog owners should limit the length of their walks, especially if they own small breeds, Elghoboshy says.

“Frostbite, in this really bad weather outside, can happen from 15 minutes to, maybe, hours. It depends on what kind of breed,” he said.

Elghoboshy recommends using dog boots and says owners should wipe their dog’s paws to remove salt.

“The frostbite’s most likely happen in extremities, which is most likely the ear tips, the paws, the nose,” he said.

Forecast

Sunday’s temperature is expected to stay at -17 C throughout the day, and a -27 windchill is expected.

On Monday, expected periods of snow and a high of -13 C.

Tuesday’s forecast predicts a 60 per cent chance of flurries and a temperature high of -11 C.

With files from CTV’s Kimberley Johnson.

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