Ottawa expecting warmer temperatures this weekend into next week

While Ottawa is feeling cooler temperatures this afternoon into the evening, weather in the nation’s capital is set to warm up over the weekend.

Environment Canada is expecting a high of -8 C Friday afternoon, dropping to -11 C in the evening and -16 C when factoring in windchill.

But temperatures start to rise Saturday morning, with Environment Canada predicting a high of -2 C earlier in the day and a low of 0 C in the evening.

Based on historical weather data from Environment Canada, the average minimum temperature on this day is -13.6 C, with the lowest temperature sitting at -31.7 C on December 27, 1993.

Ottawa’s 7-day forecast

• Today (Friday Dec. 27) Mix of sun and cloud, wind up to 15 km/h. High minus 6, minus 8 this afternoon. Low minus 11 this evening. Wind chill near minus 16.
• Saturday Dec. 28: Cloudy, periods of freezing rain beginning in the morning. High minus 2. With wind chill, minus 15 in the morning and minus 7 in the afternoon. 40 per cent chance of showers in the evening. Low zero.
• Sunday Dec. 29: Periods of rain. High plus 5. Low plus 4.
• Monday Dec. 30: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. High plus 5. Cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers in the evening. Low plus 1.
• Tuesday Dec 31: Cloudy. High plus 3. 40 percent chance of rain or snow in the evening. Low plus 1.
• Wednesday Jan 1: Periods of snow or rain. High plus 2. Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries in the evening. Low minus 4.
• Thursday Jan 2: Cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. High minus 2.

While synthetic skating rinks — including the Rink of Dreams and the ByWard Market’s new skating rink — will not be impacted by the warmer temperatures, it’s important to avoid venturing onto frozen bodies of water as temperatures rise and ice melts.

From the Ottawa Christmas Market to winter trails, Ottawa residents can take the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors during milder winter temperatures.

According to the National Capital Commission (NCC), winter trails in Ottawa include:

• Kichi Sibi Winter Trail
• Ottawa West Winter Trail
• Britannia Winter Trail Association
• Rideau Winter Trail
• Ski Heritage East

Click here for more details.