Ottawa could see 5-10 cm of snow this afternoon

Snow blankets downtown Ottawa on Monday, Feb. 3. (Westin Camera)

Motorists are being warned to expect delays on roads across Ottawa during the afternoon commute, as a winter storm hits the region.

Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for Ottawa, calling for five to 10 centimetres of snow this afternoon through the evening.

The weather statement warns the storm will bring “reduced visibility in heavy snow.”

“Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow,” Environment Canada said.

“Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas.”

The snow is expected to begin until 9 p.m.

The City of Ottawa says it will deploy crews to begin clearing “high-traffic areas” when the snow begins to accumulate.

“Crews will be deployed to clear and treat sidewalks, priority roads, bus routes, the Transitway and the winter cycling network,” police said. “The night shift will pick up where the day shift leaves off to continue winter operations overnight.”

The high today will be -1 C, with the wind chill making it feel like -16 this morning and -3 this afternoon.

Snow ending this evening then partly cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. Low -10 C.

Tuesday will see a mix of sun and cloud. High -8 C, with the wind chill of -17.

Sunshine on Wednesday. High -7 C.

The outlook for Thursday calls for cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of snow. High 6 C.

Cold temperatures return Thursday night with a low of -11 C.

Friday will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 per cent chance of flurries. High -7 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of -5 C and a low of -15 C.

Snow

The snowfall comes after Ottawa saw the least amount of snow in January in 12 winters.

Environment Canada reported 37.9 cm of snow at the Ottawa Airport last month. That’s the least amount of snow recorded in Ottawa in January since 36.6 cm of snow in 2014.

Ottawa normally sees 59 cm of snow in January.

Here is a look at the January snowfall totals for Ottawa over the past 12 years:

• 2025: 35.9 cm (29 days)
• 2024: 54.6 cm
• 2023: 96.5 cm
• 2022: 63.3 cm (47.7 cm on Jan. 17)
• 2021: 49 cm
• 2020: 62.7 cm
• 2019: 101.8 cm
• 2018: 63.8 cm
• 2017: 38.6 cm
• 2016: 44.7 cm
• 2015: 55.8 cm
• 2014: 36.6 cm

Cold January

The average temperature in Ottawa in January was close to normal for the first month of the year.

Environment Canada’s weather summary shows the median temperature in Ottawa was -9.6 C in January. The normal median temperature is -10 C.

The median temperature in Kingston was -6.1 C in January. The normal temperature in Kingston in January is -7 C.