‘Potent spring ice storm’ to hit Ottawa this weekend, with 5-15 cm of snow and 15 mm of freezing rain

A giant snowman continues to wave a Canadian flag to motorists along Queen Elizabeth Driveway. Janus the snowman was first built in January and continues to stand through the last week of March. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

A “potent spring ice storm” is expected to hit Ottawa this weekend, with a system bringing up to 15 centimetres of snow and 5-15 millimetres of freezing rain.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Ottawa and eastern Ontario, calling for a “widespread, prolonged freezing rain event” over southern and northeastern Ontario.

Meteorologist Geoff Coulson told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal that Ottawa will see snow or freezing rain all weekend, with snow beginning Friday evening in Ottawa.

“Initially, with this first shot, it is more snow or snow/ice pellet mix for Ottawa itself, but this first shot may be more ice pellets or freezing rain in areas like Kemptville and Smiths Falls and southwards towards the St. Lawrence River,” Coulson said Thursday.

“On Sunday, we get a second shot, another system coming in (and) that one is more likely going to bring freezing rain to the Ottawa area and freezing rain also south towards the St. Lawrence River. We see a bit of a break Sunday night and then showers overnight and into Monday.”

Coulson says the freezing rain accumulations will be higher south of Kemptville and Smiths Falls.

The special weather statement says Ottawa could see 5 to 15 mm of ice accretion, with amounts in excess of 20 mm possible in some areas, and possible snow and ice accumulations of 5 to 15 cm.

“Warnings will be issued as the event draws nearer,” Environment Canada said. “A break in the freezing rain is expected for most areas late in the day on Saturday into Saturday night before a second round of freezing rain begins.”

The forecast says Ottawa will see 10 to 15 cm of snow and ice pellets Friday night, with snow continuing on Saturday.

The City of Ottawa says staff are tracking the storm and preparing for the potential for heavy snowfall and ice pellets over several days.

“Right now, our main focus is we’re getting our equipment ready,” Bryden Denyes, area manager of Ottawa roads, told CTV News Ottawa. “We’re loading up with salt because if we are going to have a prolonged freezing rain event, we want to make sure we have enough materials to deal with that. And really, it’s just being ready.”

Ottawa forecast

Partly cloudy tonight with showers or flurries beginning this evening and ending after midnight. Low -8 C.

Friday will be mainly cloudy. High 2 C.

Snow is expected to begin Friday night.

Snow continuing on Saturday. High 0 C.

The outlook for Sunday calls for freezing rain or rain. High 0 C.

Monday will see rain or snow. High 5 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 6 C and a low of -4 C.

• Get the latest Ottawa weather news, including hourly and 7-day forecasts