Coldest temperatures in two years set to grip Ottawa, with lows of -20 C

The Rideau Canal Skateway on Sunday, Jan. 19. (Maddison De Varennes/CTV News Ottawa)

You will want to bundle up as you head outside, with the coldest temperatures in nearly two years set to grip Ottawa this week.

The temperature was -18.8 C at 8 a.m. Monday, with the wind chill making it feel like -27.

“Now you’re into the big freeze; this is the deep freeze, and this is going to last for a couple of weeks,” David Phillips, Environment Canada’s senior climatologist, told CTV Morning Live.

“Clearly, today would, probably, be the coldest temperature that we’ve seen in two years and tomorrow may be slightly colder. This is good for the canal.”

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for a high of -14 C today, with overnight lows of -21 C tonight and -23 C Tuesday night.

“Very cold weather is expected from Sunday evening until the middle of next week. Wind chill values will range between -30 and -37,” Environment Canada says on its website.

“Be prepared for cold conditions. Remember frostbite can develop in minutes on exposed skin. Keep dry to stay warmer.”

The low of -21 C tonight would be the coldest temperature in Ottawa since Feb. 25, 2023, when the temperature dropped to -24.4 C. The temperature was -33.1 C on Feb. 4, 2023.

“It’s cold,” Phillips said Monday morning. “As they say, this is the coldest moment of the winter so far and colder than anytime we saw last year.”

It will be mainly sunny in Ottawa today. High -14 C.

Partly cloudy tonight with a 40 per cent chance of flurries late this evening and overnight. Low -21 C with the wind chill making it feel like -28.

Tuesday will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. High -12 C with the wind chill making it feel like -27 in the morning.

Wednesday will be sunny. High 12 C.

The outlook for Thursday calls for cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of flurries. High -7 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of -6 C and a low of -16 C.

Extreme Cold Warning

An Extreme Cold Warning has been issued for the Ottawa Valley, with wind chill values of -35 expected this week.

Environment Canada has issued the warning for the area stretching from Arnprior, Calabogie and Renfrew to Pembroke, Petawawa and Cobden.

“Extreme cold conditions may persist through Wednesday for some areas,” the weather agency says.

“Depending on cloud cover which may serve to moderate temperatures slightly, extreme cold conditions may persist through Wednesday for some areas. Extreme cold puts everyone at risk.”

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for a low of -25 C tonight and Tuesday night in Pembroke. Daytime highs will be -16 C today and -14C on Tuesday.

Phillips says Ottawa may not reach the threshold for extreme cold warnings.

“Mercifully, the winds will not blow that strong, especially tomorrow when the temperature drops down to a low of -23 so you might not that sort of threshold of -30 to prompt an extreme cold warning.”

Seasonal temperatures through January

Ottawa will see normal winter temperatures through the final two weeks of January and into February.

Environment Canada’s monthly temperature forecast calls for temperatures to remain seasonal over the next four weeks.

Rideau Canal Skateway

The green flag is flying on the full Rideau Canal Skateway.

The National Capital Commission says the full 7.8 kilometres of the world’s largest skateway is open between Rideau Street and Dow’s Lake/Carleton University Library.