WC expected to wake up to freezing rain Monday

WEST CARLTEON – Environment Canada expects nasty weather overnight (Dec. 6) including freezing rain in the West Carleton, west Ottawa and Ottawa Valley area.

A winter storm warning has been issued by Environment Canada across the Ottawa Valley with West Carleton, Kanata and Ottawa under a freezing rain warning.

Significant snowfall mixed with freezing precipitation is expected.

“A low-pressure system will track east across the Great Lakes tonight and Monday (Dec. 6),” Environment Canada released in a statement today (Dec. 5). “Precipitation will begin as snow this evening then will change to freezing rain overnight or early Monday morning before changing to rain by Monday afternoon.”

Snow is expected to change to ice pellets and freezing rain overnight before changing to rain by Monday morning.

Total snowfall amounts of 15 to 20 cm and ice build-up due to freezing rain are likely.

Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.

Give yourself extra time to get where you need to go.

Winter storm warnings are issued when multiple types of severe winter weather are expected to occur together. Freezing rain warnings are issued when rain falling in sub-zero temperatures creates ice build-up and icy surfaces.

Because of the expected weather event, the City of Ottawa has initiated a daytime parking ban tomorrow.

“Due to weather conditions, a daytime winter weather parking ban will be in effect on Monday, Dec. 6 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. across Ottawa,” City of Ottawa staff released in a statement. “These hours might be extended if additional time is needed to complete winter road operations.”

During a winter weather parking ban, parking is prohibited on city streets so crews can plow easily and effectively. Vehicles parked on the street during a ban may be ticketed and towed. On-street monthly parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction when they are parked in residential parking permit zones.

Winter storm warning in effect for:

• Barry’s Bay – Killaloe
• Petawawa – Pembroke – Cobden
• Renfrew – Arnprior – Calabogie
• Deep River – Whitney
• Eastern Algonquin Park – Western Algonquin Park
• Lake of Two Rivers

Freezing rain warning in effect for:

• Ottawa North – West Carleton – Kanata – Orléans
• Ottawa South – Richmond – Metcalfe