Ottawa's Easter Plans Just Got a Lot Wetter
Ottawa residents hoping for a dry Easter long weekend may want to rethink their outdoor plans. A major rainfall event is bearing down on the region, with forecasters warning that most of eastern Ontario and western Quebec could see between 30 and 50 millimetres of rain falling from Saturday afternoon through to Sunday morning.
That's a significant amount of precipitation in a short window — enough to cause ponding on roads, flooded low-lying areas, and some very soggy Easter egg hunts.
What to Expect and When
The rain is expected to arrive Saturday afternoon and intensify through the evening hours. The bulk of the accumulation will happen overnight into Sunday morning, which means Saturday dinner plans and Sunday morning church services or brunches could both be affected.
For context, Ottawa typically receives around 80 millimetres of rain for the entire month of April. Getting nearly half of that in a single overnight event is notable and could lead to localized flooding, particularly in low-lying neighbourhoods and areas with aging stormwater infrastructure.
Highway and road conditions could deteriorate quickly as the rain intensifies Saturday night, so if you're travelling home from cottage country or heading to family gatherings across the region, plan around the worst of the storm.
Ottawa-Area Communities Also Affected
The rainfall warning covers a wide swath of the region, extending into western Quebec — which means communities like Gatineau, Aylmer, and the Pontiac are also in the zone. Residents on both sides of the Ottawa River should keep an eye on Environment Canada alerts and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Those living near the Rideau River, Rideau Canal, or smaller waterways in the Greenbelt should monitor water levels, particularly if there's still snowmelt contributing to runoff from earlier in the season.
Making the Most of an Indoor Easter
If the rain dampens your outdoor Easter plans, Ottawa has plenty of indoor options to salvage the long weekend. The Canadian Museum of Nature, the Museum of History across the river in Gatineau, and the Ottawa Art Gallery are all great family-friendly alternatives. Many local restaurants and brunch spots will be open for Easter Sunday — just book ahead, as they tend to fill up fast on holiday weekends.
For those with kids, indoor egg hunts, baking projects, or a movie marathon might be the call this year.
Stay Weather-Ready
Environment Canada is expected to issue updated rainfall warnings as the system approaches. Residents can monitor conditions through the Weather Network, CBC Ottawa, or the Environment Canada website. If you see water pooling rapidly on roads or near storm drains, report it to the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1.
Stay dry out there, Ottawa — it's going to be a soggy one.
Source: CBC Ottawa. Original article published April 2026.
