Cold temperatures today, 5-10 cm of snow for Ottawa on Thursday

A winter day in Ottawa. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa)

It’s a sunny and cold Wednesday in Ottawa, before another blast of snowy weather moves into the national capital region on Thursday.

Environment Canada’s forecast is calling for Ottawa to receive five to 10 centimetres of snow Thursday and Thursday night, and more snow expected this weekend.

“Not necessarily a huge amount of snow expected on Thursday, but it certainly could have impacts depending on where people are, in terms of their commute,” Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada meteorologist, told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal.

Coulson says the snow should start around 9 a.m. Thursday.

“It does look like the snow will continue right through the evening rush hour. We’ll likely see the bulk of our 5 to 10 cm of snow by 7 p.m. on Thursday, but flurry activity will likely continue into the early hours of Friday,” Coulson said.

A winter weather travel advisory was issued Wednesday evening, warning of hazardous driving conditions Thursday, including the possibility of freezing drizzle in the afternoon. Conditions are expected to improve Thursday evening.

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for periods of snow on Saturday night and Sunday.

Ottawa has received 5.2 cm of snow so far in February, after 37.9 cm of snow in January.

It will be mainly sunny today. High -12 C, with the wind chill making it feel like -18 this afternoon.

Clear tonight. Low -19 C.

Snow beginning Thursday morning. High -4 C with the wind chill making it feel like -8 in the afternoon.

Periods of snow continuing Thursday night. Risk of freezing drizzle in the evening. Low -8 C.

Friday will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. High -4 C.

The outlook for Saturday calls for sunshine. High -5 C.

Periods of snow are expected Saturday night and Sunday.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of -5 C and a low of -14 C.