Environment Canada has issued an alert for the Ottawa-Gatineau region, warning of a potentially severe episode of freezing rain on Sunday evening. The warning, classified as orange-level, covers the nation’s capital, eastern Ontario, and western Quebec.
Residents in Ottawa can expect a significant amount of freezing rain starting tonight and lasting into Monday morning, with ice accumulation ranging between 15 and 20 millimeters. The weather agency cautioned that travel conditions will be dangerous, and there is a high likelihood of prolonged power outages. Monday morning’s commute is anticipated to be challenging, prompting a recommendation to postpone non-essential trips.
By late Monday morning, the freezing rain is forecasted to transition into regular rain as temperatures rise slightly above zero. Additionally, gusts of up to 100 km/h near Lake Ontario are expected in areas such as Kingston, Napanee, and Belleville, where yellow-level warnings for rain, freezing rain, and wind have been issued.
The new color-coded weather alert system implemented by Environment Canada now categorizes warnings in three levels of severity: yellow, orange, and red, aligning with international standards. This update aims to provide clearer and more concise information to the public regarding weather-related risks.