Ottawa could see 20-30 mm of rain, freezing rain on Tuesday

An early spring day at Harry Kingston Point at the Nepean Sailing Club along the Ottawa River. (Maddison de Varennes/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa residents will enjoy a taste of spring weather today with sunshine and a high of 15 C, before a Colorado Low brings up to 30 millimetres of rain and freezing rain to the capital tomorrow.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Ottawa and eastern Ontario, calling for an “extended period” of freezing rain or freezing drizzle.

“Two waves of precipitation on Tuesday may lead to freezing rain or freezing drizzle along portions of the Ottawa River valley,” the weather agency said in a statement Monday afternoon.

“There remains great uncertainty as to whether temperatures will remain below the freezing mark during the waves of precipitation. Should temperatures stay above zero, this would result in rain instead of freezing rain.”

According to Environment Canada’s website, the rain will begin around 3 a.m. Tuesday, with periods of freezing rain to begin around 6 a.m.

Forecast

It will be a mainly sunny start to the work week in Ottawa. The forecast calls for sunshine today and a high of 15 C.

Environment Canada is calling for mainly cloudy conditions tonight with a 60 per cent chance of rain. Low 0 C.

Tuesday will see periods of freezing rain or rain ending near noon then cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of drizzle or freezing drizzle. The periods of rain and freezing rain will begin again in the afternoon. High 2 C.

Periods of freezing rain or rain will continue on Wednesday. High 8 C.

The outlook for Thursday calls for a mix of sun and cloud 60 per cent chance of rain showers or flurries. High 2 C.

Friday will see mainly cloudy conditions with a 60 per cent chance of showers. High 6 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 7 C and a low of -3 C.

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