Ottawa is no stranger to a stubborn winter, and 2026 is proving to be no exception, despite the calendar officially flipping to spring today, the city is still firmly in winter's clutches.
Don't Put Away the Shovel Just Yet
If you were hoping to swap your parka for a light jacket this week, we have some bad news. Ontario's winter weather is dragging on well past its welcome, with more snow and icy conditions in the forecast before any meaningful warm-up arrives. That means Ottawa commuters should stay sharp on the roads and sidewalks for at least a little while longer.
The first day of spring can feel like a cruel joke in this city, one year it's slush and freezing rain, the next it's a fresh dump of snow. This year is shaping up to be more of the same. Meteorologists are tracking continued wintry conditions across the province before temperatures finally start to climb.
Ottawa Knows How to Wait It Out
For Ottawans, this is hardly shocking. We've learned to treat the spring equinox as more of an emotional milestone than a meteorological one. The real arrival of spring in the capital tends to lag behind the calendar by a few weeks, sometimes well into April.
That said, there's genuine cause for optimism. The days are getting noticeably longer, the sun feels stronger when it does show up, and forecasters are pointing to a warmer pattern developing in the weeks ahead. The Rideau Canal Skateway is already a distant memory (it closed in late February), and mud season is quietly waiting in the wings.
In the meantime, residents are being advised to keep an eye on Environment Canada alerts, particularly for overnight ice formation and morning black ice on roads and pathways. The Greenbelt trails and riverside paths that Ottawans love for their spring runs and walks may still be a few weeks from prime condition.
What to Expect in the Coming Weeks
While exact timing is still uncertain, the broader trend across Ontario is pointing toward above-normal temperatures as we move deeper into late March and early April. For Ottawa, that typically means the first real stretch of days above 10°C, the kind of weather that finally makes it feel safe to believe winter is over.
Until then, keep the winter tires on, hold off on planting anything, and maybe keep one good pair of boots by the door. Spring is coming. It's just taking the scenic route.
Source: Global News Ottawa
