Environment Canada has issued an Orange Weather Alert for the Ottawa area Sunday into Monday. An Ice storm is expected this Sunday evening into Monday morning, which could cause power outages in the Nation’s Capital.
According to Canada’s weather alert system, an Orange alert means “Severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts.”
Impacts are major, widespread and/or may last a few days.
Here is the report from ECCC:
What: Freezing rain leading to icy surfaces. Ice accretion or build-up of 15 to 20 mm on some surfaces. When: This evening into Monday morning.
Additional information: Freezing rain is expected to begin this evening and continue into Monday morning. The freezing rain may briefly change over to rain late Monday morning as temperatures are expected to climb to just above the freezing mark.
Roads and walkways will likely become icy and slippery. Travel will likely be hazardous and some routes will likely be impassable. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic.
Prolonged utility outages are likely.
Non-essential travel should be avoided.
Canada’s Weather Alert colours
There are 3 types of alert colours and symbols:
Yellow
- Hazardous weather may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts
- Impacts are moderate, localized and/or short-term
- Yellow alerts are the most common
Orange
- Severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts
- Impacts are major, widespread and/or may last a few days
- Orange alerts are uncommon
Red
- Very dangerous and possibly life-threatening weather will cause extreme damage and disruption
- Impacts are extensive, widespread, and prolonged
- Red alerts are rare
What the colours mean
The same weather can have different impacts, depending on timing, location, and population. That’s why each weather alert has a colour, to tell you the level of impact possible in your area, so you can prepare appropriately.
Here are examples of the different impacts of yellow, orange, and red wind warnings.
Important: These images are demonstrative; they do not show all the potential impacts of wind warnings.
Yellow Warning – Wind
In a Yellow Warning – Wind, you may see:
- some short term utility outages
- larger tree branches broken
- risk of injury from flying or falling debris
Potential impacts from a Yellow Warning – Wind
Long description
Representation of the potential impacts of a Yellow Warning – Wind. A house with a tall tree beside it, a red car and hydro poles in front. No lights are on in the house, branches are scattered in front, a potted plant has blown over, and there is visible damage to the roof.
Orange Warning – Wind
In an Orange Warning – Wind, you may see:
- widespread utility outages
- some roof damage
- small to medium trees snapped
- increased risk of injury from flying or falling debris
Potential impacts from an Orange Warning – Wind
Long description
Representation of the potential impacts of an Orange Warning – Wind. A house with a tall tree beside it, a red car and hydro poles in front. No lights are on in the house, a window is broken, and smaller branches are scattered around. Both potted plants have blown over, the hydro cable has broken, and larger branches have fallen onto the roof and car causing significant damage.
Red Warning – Wind
In a Red Warning – Wind, you may see:
- long duration, widespread utility outages
- structural damage to homes and buildings
- significant damage to trees including orchards and parks
- high likelihood of injury due to flying or falling debris
Potential impacts of a Red Warning – Wind
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm.
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