An Environment Canada weather warning for strong winds in the Ottawa area Saturday afternoon says gusts could reach up to 90 kilometres an hour.
However, the strongest gusts should only last an hour or so, according to the weather warning for Ottawa issued by Environment Canada just before noon on Saturday.
Sign up to receive daily headline news from Ottawa Citizen, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Ottawa Citizen Headline News will soon be in your inbox.
There is also a possibility of rain thrown into the mix by afternoon.
The weather warning for Ottawa North, Kanata, Orleans, Ottawa South, Richmond and Metcalfe said winds arriving as part of a cold front Saturday could cause power outages, damage roof shingles and windows, toss around loose objects and break tree branches.
Winds are expected to ease from west to east by early Saturday evening.
At noon, the winds were south at 48 km/hour with costs up to 40 km/hour, according to Environment Canada.
The cold front was expected to reach the Ottawa area by Saturday afternoon, said the weather statement from Environment Canada.
At least one public event has been postponed. The Mayor’s Christmas Celebration at city hall that was scheduled for Saturday afternoon has been delayed until Saturday, Dec. 10.
Ottawa Fire Services announced Saturday morning a ban on open fires in the city of Ottawa.
Bans are implemented to prevent the rapid spread of grass and brush fires.
The ban applies to properties that have an open fire permit and to agricultural burns, brush pile burns, campfires and wood-burning outdoor fireplaces, said a release from Fire Services.
Devices that don’t require a permit, such as propane, ethanol and natural gas outdoor fireplaces and barbecues, are not included in the ban.
In addition to wind, Environment Canada’s forecast says there is a 40 per cent chance of rain showers or flurries Saturday evening.
The Weather Channel, meanwhile, says to expect showers or rain by afternoon, pegging the possibility of precipitation at 90 per cent.
The temperature will reach a high of 8 C on Saturday, then dip down to a low of -9 overnight, with a windchill of -16, says Environment Canada.
For Sunday, there’s a 60 per cent chance of flurries in the afternoon, and wind at around 20 km/hour with a high of -1 C, says Environment Canada.
For Monday, expect a sunny day with a high of 3C, says Environment Canada.
jmiller@postmedia.com
-
Two schools evacuated, but police determine no threat to students or public
-
Deachman: 'It looks like a world-class transit system, but it’s not.' Turns out Ottawa just wants trains that run on time