Ottawa woke up to a mess of ice Wednesday into Thursday as a fierce freezing rain storm swept across the region, snarling transit, forcing school closures, and leaving thousands of residents dealing with treacherous conditions underfoot.
O-Train Line 1 Knocked Offline
The freezing rain hit the city's light rail network hard. OC Transpo confirmed that O-Train Line 1 was partially shut down overnight as ice accumulated on overhead wires, triggering electrical faults that forced maintenance crews to scramble. Replacement bus service was deployed on affected segments, but riders faced significant delays during the morning commute as buses struggled to keep pace on icy roads.
This is not the first time Ottawa's LRT system has had trouble with winter weather, the system has faced repeated criticism over its reliability in cold conditions. The city and OC Transpo have been working to improve cold-weather performance, but Wednesday's ice storm underscored just how vulnerable the infrastructure remains to extreme freezing precipitation.
Schools Closed, Buses Cancelled
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and other area school boards cancelled in-person classes Thursday morning as icy roads and sidewalks made travel dangerous for students and staff. School bus operators also pulled services across much of the region as a precaution.
Parents scrambled to arrange alternative childcare, with many employers in the region offering flexible work-from-home arrangements in response to the conditions.
Walking Was a Workout
If you ventured outside Thursday morning, you know: the sidewalks were a rink. Ottawa's Councillors fielded calls from residents frustrated by uncleared walkways, and the city dispatched extra crews to treat major pedestrian routes with sand and salt. Still, hospitals reported a higher-than-usual number of slip-and-fall injuries.
Ice Storm Warnings and What to Expect
Environment Canada had issued ice storm warnings for Ottawa and much of eastern Ontario heading into Wednesday night, forecasting 20 to 30 millimetres of freezing rain, enough to coat everything in a thick, heavy glaze of ice. Power outages were reported in parts of the Ottawa region as ice weighed down branches and lines.
When Will It Let Up?
Forecasters say temperatures will climb above freezing by Thursday afternoon, which should help melt the ice accumulation. Rain is expected to follow, which will further clear conditions, though it may also cause localized flooding as the ice melts rapidly.
Until then, Ottawa residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, wear appropriate footwear, and keep an eye on OC Transpo's service alerts for real-time updates on the O-Train situation.
Sources: CTV News Ottawa, Ottawa Citizen, OC Transpo service alerts
