I just read the following notice issued by Environment Canada's weather office (http://weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?onrm104).
I have to say I don't really know what most of it mean or even what to expect (I'll have to find out what "freezing rain" is), because I haven't lived through an Ottawa winter before. The fact that Environment Canada issued a warning probably means it is quite a serious situation, even for the locals. I cannot imagine what 20cm of snowfall would look like...
I did walk home from production kitchen in ankle-deep snow this afternoon. And it was snowing steadily. It is an interesting sensation to have snowflakes on your eye lashes and face.
As for the storm warning, if I look on the bright side, it probably means I get to make a snowman and snow angels before Christmas. :)
The winter storm warning from Environment Canada:
Ottawa North - Kanata - Orléans
4:13 PM EST Tuesday 9 December 2008
Winter storm warning for
Ottawa North - Kanata - Orléans continued
Heavy snow followed by some freezing rain this evening then back to snow.
This is a warning that dangerous winter weather conditions are imminent or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions.Listen for updated statements.
The storm system is currently moving across southeast Michigan and is expected to track just north of lakes Erie and Ontario this evening and just south of Ottawa overnight. Snow heavy at times is affecting regions north of the track of the low including most of ski country and eastern Ontario. Total snowfall amounts of 20 to 30 centimetres are expected in many districts before the snow begins to wind down overnight in the west or Wednesday morning in the east.
In addition..Some freezing rain is likely this evening just north of the track of the low..Where a winter storm warning is in effect. This includes portions of the Ottawa Valley and parts of far eastern Ontario. The national Capital region is now expected to be on the edge of freezing rain, but some is likely this evening before a changeover back to heavy snow. The snow will taper off Wednesday morning in Ottawa with storm totals close to 20 to 30 cm with some freezing rain as well.
Environment Canada will continue to watch this winter storm and adjust warnings as needed.
Motorists should exercise extreme caution. Dangerous winter driving conditions are expected. Untreated surfaces may be icy and very slippery especially in areas receiving heavy snow or freezing rain. Please refer to the latest public forecasts for further details.
-----------------------------------------------------
My update (10:30pm): The snow is still coming down steadily. It is just a very thick layer of snow outside on the front lawn. By the time I walk to production kitchen at 6am tomorrow morning, I bet the snow will be knee-deep.
Fortunately, it is only -7 degrees Celsius now, as opposed to -21 degrees a couple of nights ago.
