Significant snowfall to hit Ottawa before Family Day long weekend

Drivers have been dealing with a difficult evening getting around as they were met with a winter blast across the region Thursday evening.

Environment Canada issued a winter weather travel advisory for Ottawa and much of the surrounding area due to rapidly falling snow.

Travel is expected to become hazardous as snow accumulates which could cause reduced visibility for drivers, the weather agency says.

Meteorologists with Environment Canada anticipated snowfall totals between 5 and 10 cm before the snow arrived. During the strongest hours of the system, snow could fall at a rate of 2 to 4 cm per hour.

The heaviest of snow will taper off into light flurries. Cautious driving is advised.

The City of Ottawa says “All available resources will be deployed and working around the clock.”.

Although unlikely today, OC Transpo is reminding riders that when 31 cm of snow or more is expected, buses will run on a severe storm schedule.

Stay tuned as more details are likely to emerge as the system passes.