Record temperatures warm Ottawa, surrounding region
CBC News
Posted: Jan 30, 2013 7:49 PM ET
Last Updated: Jan 31, 2013 6:11 AM ET
The largest skating rink in the world was shut down Wednesday for safety reasons and to preserve the ice surface from the balmy weather. (CBC)
While Canada's northwest remains an icebox, Wednesday felt like spring in the capital as temperatures hit 11.6 C, causing big puddles to form and slushy driving conditions as snow melted and rain fell intermittently all afternoon and into the evening.
CBC Ottawa climatologist Ian Black confirmed it was another record weather day for Ottawa — the warmest January 30th on record since 1974 when the mercury climbed just above 5 C.
"And today was just over the all-time record for any day in January," Black added. "But with that record warmth on the way out folks, be warned. Be prepared for temperatures dropping below normal for the next couple of days."
The coming cooler weather will bode well for Ottawa's annual winter festival, Winterlude and the Rideau Canal Skateway, which officials closed Wednesday for safety reasons and to preserve the ice surface.
The National Capital Commission said it would reopen as soon as possible, weather permitting.
Share Tools
Latest Ottawa News Headlines
- 1st-degree murder charge laid in Michael Wassill death
- A 20-year-old Ottawa man is once again facing an upgraded murder charge in the death of Michael Wassill, 21, who was stabbed in the neck while his family said he was protecting a friend. more »
- 7-hour Gatineau standoff ends with man in custody
- One man is now in police custody after a seven-hour standoff at a Gatineau apartment building in the city's Hull sector. more »
- Sopranos star James Gandolfini dies in Italy
- Actor James Gandolfini, best known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of a conflicted New Jersey mob boss in the acclaimed HBO cable television series The Sopranos, has died while vacationing in Rome, the network said on Wednesday. more »
- Woman's basement sprayed with raw sewage
- An Ottawa homeowner says she got little help after city workers flooded her basement with raw sewage last week. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Sopranos star James Gandolfini dies in Italy
- Actor James Gandolfini, best known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of a conflicted New Jersey mob boss in the acclaimed HBO cable television series The Sopranos, has died while vacationing in Rome, the network said on Wednesday. more »
- Canada buys rare War of 1812 collection for $573K
- The government of Canada was the winning bidder for a large collection of letters, maps and other papers that once belonged to Sir John Sherbrooke, the lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia who conquered Maine for the British during the War of 1812. The collection sold for $573,000 at auction in London. more »
- Caregiving dads pay steep penalties at work, study says
- Fathers who participate in child rearing and housework are likely to be labeled slackers and "failed men" at work, according to a study spearheaded by researchers at the University of Toronto and Long Island University. Are active dads the norm at your workplace? more »
- Dozens of children seized from Manitoba Mennonite community
- Child welfare authorities have removed all but one child from a small Mennonite community in rural Manitoba. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Friend's favour turns into 2 bad broken legs
- Minor hockey players reflect on career-ending concussions
- Gatineau promotes itself with free shuttle service
- Tory MP fined $155 for driving through Hill security stop
- Mike Fisher, Carrie Underwood selling Ottawa dream home
- Bob Rae quits as MP in 'very emotional' decision
- Canadian border agents being impersonated in phone scam
- Sharlene Bosma speaks out about husband's murder
- The Spartan Race in 90 seconds
