Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for the Ottawa Region advising of a spring snow/ice weather event forecasted to arrive late Friday and last to Monday. This system is expected to bring snow, ice pellets and freezing rain. Local snowfall and ice pellet accumulations of 10 to 15 centimetres and ice accretion from the freezing rain between to 5 to 10 millimetres are possible. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots will become icy and slippery, and there is a possibility of power outages and tree damage from the ice accretion.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Although there is increasing confidence in a widespread, prolonged freezing rain event, there is uncertainty around the types and amount of precipitation. Most relevant is the uncertainty about the amount of possible ice accretion for the Ottawa region. It is expected that more warnings will be issued as the event draws nearer. Given the current forecast, a Significant Weather Event may be declared as conditions become more certain.
OUR RESPONSE
In preparation for this spring snow/ice weather event, the City has escalated to a “Monitoring” stance.
As part of the Public Works Department’s preparedness work, Roads and Parking Services are preparing snow-clearing and salting equipment, filling salt domes and readying to deploy all resources. Parks Maintenance will also be out in full force, pre-salting City facility parking lots (with a priority on Fire and Paramedic stations), as well as lots serving recreation centres. Traffic Services will be monitoring traffic signals and managing mobility implications, with on-call personnel prepared for controller and signal issues. Forestry will monitor wind and ice accretion and is set to respond for downed trees and dangerous limbs.
The Freshet Task Force continues to monitor conditions for our local waterways and for the Ottawa River. Local waterways have stabilized over the last week but are expected to increase again. While widespread flooding is not anticipated, water levels and flows may increase with possible flooding in low-lying areas, including ditches, swales, and stormwater features. The Long Reach of the Rideau River (between Smiths Falls and Manotick) has been identified as an area where further melt and/or rainwater may result in flooding within low-lying areas. A sandbag filling station is available at the Roger Stevens works yard (2155 Roger Stevens Drive) for residents in this area. Similarly, although we are not expecting flooding along the Ottawa River at this time, sandbags remain available in locations across the city.
WHAT RESIDENTS CAN DO
- Are you ready? To help ensure your safety and the safety of your family, now is a good time prepare your emergency kit.
- Safety is a priority for our Public Works team, and we will be out in full force. Conditions will be hazardous, and residents are reminded to give yourself extra time and adjust to the conditions of the transportation network.
- At this time, there is no need to create a service request for routine snow clearing. Service requests should only be created for emergencies, such as downed tree limbs blocking sidewalks, roads or the cycling network.
- Exercise caution, especially with children and pets, when around waterways.
- Residents are encouraged to follow river reporting. Many useful links to forecasting partner websites can be found at River flooding | City of Ottawa.
NEXT STEPS
The City will monitor conditions throughout the weekend and is prepared to coordinate resident supports, if required. The Office of Emergency Management is liaising with local utility providers, among others, to facilitate coordination on issues such as potential power outages.
We appreciate your understanding and support as many of our Public Works crews necessarily pivot from pothole repairs and typical spring maintenance activities to respond to this weather event. As this system’s impact becomes clearer, we’ll provide more details on that response, as well as whether a Significant Weather Event will be declared.
