[ad_1]
The Ottawa area is in for a soaking this week thanks to a low-pressure system moving northeast from the U.S., forecasters say.
Environment Canada hasn’t issued any watches or warnings yet, but special weather statements covering all of eastern Ontario and most of western Quebec warn of an early spring storm that could bring rain and even snow to the region. The only exception is Quebec’s Mont-Laurier region.
Rain is expected to start falling Tuesday morning in the Belleville area, with 25 to 50 millimetres possible by Wednesday afternoon. Trace amounts of snow could follow.
The rain is expected to begin in earnest in the rest of eastern Ontario on Wednesday morning. That’s expected to turn to snow before noon west of Ottawa, spreading to the capital and regions to the south and east by late Wednesday afternoon.
Ottawa, Kingston and Cornwall could see “significant” snow Wednesday night into Thursday
The Pembroke and Bancroft areas could see more than 20 centimetres of snow pile up, according to Environment Canada.
Western Quebec could get 10 to 20 centimetres of snow after a spell of rain or slushy precipitation Wednesday afternoon.
Environment Canada issues snowfall warnings when at least 15 centimetres are forecast within 12 hours.
Dry start to spring
It’s been a dry, warm winter and early spring, with Ottawa firefighters recently responding to an average of one brush fire a day.
Ottawa’s had double-digit snowfalls over two days just four times this winter, led by about 19 centimetres Jan. 12 and 13. That city got a total of about 20 centimetres in February and March.
Measurements taken at the Ottawa International Airport showed just under 40 millimetres of precipitation last month.
After a high of 12 C Tuesday, daytime temperatures are expected to slip to colder than average Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Forecast highs range from 1 to 6 C.
[ad_2]
