Rainy, cool end to March in Ottawa

Rain beads off an umbrella as a man walks through downtown Ottawa Friday March 26, 2021. (Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

It will be a wet and cool end to March in Ottawa, with periods of rain expected through the day.

Environment Canada had issued a special weather statement for Ottawa, warning of a risk of freezing rain through the day and 20 to 30 millimetres of rain on Tuesday. The special weather statement was lifted just before 8 a.m.

A freezing rain warning is in effect for parts of western Quebec, including the Low-Wakefield area, Maniwaki, Gracefield, Val-des-Monts, Pontiac and Grenville areas.

Environment Canada says there is a risk of freezing drizzle until 3 p.m. The forecast calls for periods of rain until 12 p.m., periods of drizzle this afternoon and rain resuming around 4 p.m.

The forecast calls for periods of rain ending near noon and then cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of drizzle this afternoon. Periods of rain will begin late this afternoon. High 2 C.

Periods of rain will end overnight then cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of drizzle. Environment Canada says there will be a risk of freezing rain this evening and overnight. Temperature steady near 0 C.

Wednesday will be mainly cloudy. High 8 C.

Thursday will see periods of freezing rain or rain. High 2 C.

The outlook for Friday calls for cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of showers. High 0 C.

Saturday will be cloudy. High 8 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 7 C and a low of -2 C.

School buses running

School buses are running in Ottawa today.

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority says a weather assessment was conducted this morning due to the risk of freezing rain.

“Please be advised that school bus/van transportation will be running today for the English Catholic and Public Schools and the French Catholic and Public Schools, operating within the City of Ottawa,” the transportation authority said.

“However, there may be delays.”

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