Yes, It's Snowing Again — Welcome to Ottawa in April
Ottawa residents woke up this Tuesday to a familiar (if unwelcome) sight: snowflakes falling in what is supposed to be spring. A late-season snowstorm is sweeping through the region today, with forecasters calling for 2–4 cm of accumulation before it wraps up.
If you're feeling a little déjà vu, you're not alone. Ottawa is no stranger to April snow, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating when you've already swapped out your winter tires and mentally committed to patio season.
What to Expect Today
The snow is expected to fall through much of the day, with accumulations on the lighter end — enough to coat roads, sidewalks, and freshly bloomed flowers, but not enough to cause a full-blown winter emergency. That said, even a few centimetres can make morning and evening commutes slippery, especially on untreated residential streets and pathways.
Drivers should slow down and leave extra stopping distance, particularly on bridges and overpasses where ice tends to form first. Cyclists and pedestrians along the Rideau Canal pathway and other multi-use trails should watch their footing.
Transit users may want to add a few extra minutes to their commute, as buses can run slightly behind schedule during snowy conditions.
Spring Snow Is More Common Than You'd Think
Meteorologically speaking, this kind of late-season snowfall is completely normal for Ottawa. The city sits in a climate zone where cold Arctic air masses can still push through well into April, clashing with warmer, moisture-laden air to produce exactly this kind of nuisance snowfall.
On average, Ottawa sees measurable snow as late as mid-April, and there are years where flakes have fallen into early May. The good news: ground temperatures are warmer than in January, so the snow tends to melt faster once it stops falling.
Silver Lining? The Weekend Looks Better
If you can make it through today, the forecast does improve heading into the back half of the week. Temperatures are expected to climb back into the double digits by the weekend, which should melt any lingering snow and — finally — make that patio drink feel earned.
For now, Ottawa, bundle up one more time. Spring is coming. It's just taking the scenic route.
Source: CTV News Ottawa via Google News
