First snow to hit Ottawa this week after wet weather

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Ottawa’s first snow of the season is expected in the coming days after weather at the start of the week left the city more soggy than snow-covered.

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Environment Canada ended its freezing rain warning midday on Nov. 26, leaving residents to contend with a damp and windy forecast.

Colder temperatures and flurries, however, are expected to bring Ottawa’s first snowfall by the weekend, with accumulation lingering in the following days.

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Someone with an umbrella walks by the Ottawa sign downtown
A rainy start to the week is giving way to colder air and the first real chance of snow this season. Photo by Jean Levac /Postmedia

The rain should end on the afternoon of Nov. 26, according to the federal weather agency, with cloudy skies and gusts up to 40 km/h making for a chilly evening. Temperatures will drop to -1 C overnight, and a wind chill will make it feel like -7 C. Wednesday will see more clouds and a high of 4 C, but the real weather shift starts Thursday.

A 30 per cent chance of flurries on Nov. 28 hints at the first signs of snowfall, with the likelihood increasing through Friday and into the weekend. Daily highs will hover around 2 C, while overnight lows dip into the minus single digits, creating conditions for snow to stick.

Lines of headlights on a reflective road against an overcast morning sky
Cars on a slick road, the morning of November 26. Photo by Jean Levac /Postmedia

Friday will be the most probable day for snow to cover the ground, with a 40 per cent chance of flurries continuing into Saturday. By Sunday, daytime highs will barely climb above freezing, with lows consistently around -6 C.

Daytime melting followed by subzero nights could lead to slippery roads and sidewalks.

The wait for Ottawa’s first snow is nearly over. While rain dominated earlier in the week, colder air and a high chance of flurries mean the city will likely wake up to its first glimpse of winter by the weekend.

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