Heat warning ends for Ottawa after storm blows through region

A beach in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 9. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

A heat warning that was in effect nearly a full week in Ottawa has now ended with temperatures expected to return to more seasonal norms.

The warning ended just after 6 p.m. Thurdsday.

A severe thunderstorm warning was also in effect for Ottawa for approximately 45 minutes Thursday afternoon as a line of storms moved through, but the warning has since ended.

An Environment Canada meteorologist tells CTV News Ottawa a total of 5.6 millimetres of rain was recorded in downtown Ottawa during the storm, while areas north and west of the city received between 10 and 20 mm, according to volunteer reports.

A severe thunderstorm watch that was in effect for most of the day ended just after 5 p.m. but the heat warning continued to linger for another hour.

“A cooler airmass is expected to arrive late this afternoon or early evening bringing an end to this heat event,” Environment Canada said in a statement.

By 6 p.m., the temperature in Ottawa had dropped to 22 C with a humidex of 29 after reaching a high of 28 C and a humidex of 39 earlier in the day.

The forecast for Thursday evening includes an early risk of a thunderstorm before the sky clears and the temperature drops to a low of 12 C, the coldest temperature the city will have seen since July 4.

Friday will be sunny. High 24 C with the humidex making it feel like 26.

Saturday will see a mix of sun and cloud. High 25 C.

The outlook for Sunday calls for a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 per cent chance of showers. High 25 C.

Monday will be mainly sunny. High 23 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 27 C and a low of 16 C.