Clipper causing chaos in southern Ontario expected to ‘brush’ Ottawa
Posted Jan 21, 2026 01:56:42 PM.
Last Updated Jan 21, 2026 01:59:12 PM.
A winter storm splashing warnings from Environment Canada across the Greater Toronto Area is expected to pass through the nation’s capital with little impact.
CityNews meteorologist Allister Aalders said that an Alberta Clipper is “expected to brush the Ottawa area.”
“Periods of light snow develop Wednesday afternoon with further periods of light snow and flurries through the night into Thursday morning,” he said.
Aalders believes that accumulation should be around 5 centimetres; however, it is possible that some areas could receive closer to 10 cm.
Environment Canada’s forecast shows wind will be gusting up to 40 km/h making the -7 C high feel closer to -13.
Flurries should continue overnight as the cool weather persists.
Deep freeze on the way
Behind the clipper, another surge of Arctic air will settle over eastern Ontario. Thursday will bring flurries and clouds with a high near – 7 C, the wind chill will pick up in the afternoon, plunging Ottawa colder.
Friday, the Environment Canada forecast shows a high of – 13 C, and an overnight low near –29 C, raising the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
The coldest air of the season is expected to arrive early Saturday morning, with temperatures plummeting to –18 C.
