Minus double-digit temperatures continue for canal opening weekend

Opening day for the canal will see beautiful skating temperatures and possibly a bit of snow this weekend.

Environment Canada says that Friday is expected to be sunny with a high of -7 C but the wind chill is dropping temperatures to -19 C. By early evening, clouds are likely to roll in and the wind will pick up to 15 km/h.

On Saturday, skaters should bundle up for the opening of the Rideau Canal at 8:00 a.m., since the weather agency expects the temperatures to be around -16 C with the wind chill. By the afternoon things should warm up to -10 C.

In a social media post, the Rideau Canal Skateway said that 3.6-kilometre section of the canal is open on Jan. 11. The section is between Somerset Street and Bank Street. 

There is a chance of light snow for the opening day and flurries throughout the day.

As of right now, Sunday is a high of -5 C, but Environment Canada hasn’t noted the wind chill, which is likely to make it feel much colder.

Early next week could see some more snow, the forecast shows.