Ottawa braces for another heavy snowfall

The Ottawa area is expecting another 20 centimetres of snow in the next 24 hours, so there is a slight chance this year the city could crack the all-time record snowfall off 444.1 centimetres set in 1971.

"Currently, the Ottawa area is sitting at 327 centimetres so far this winter. That sits us about fourth on the all-time list of snowiest winters," according to Geoff Coulson, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

"If we get the advertised 20 centimetres of snow or more … that could vault us into second position, which is currently 347.3 centimetres, in the winter of '92-'93," Coulson said.

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm watch for southern and eastern Ontario right from Windsor to the Quebec border. The storm will be heaviest along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Areas north of the storm track will get the most snow.

The City of Ottawa has issued an overnight parking ban. It means parking is not allowed between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. across the city.

The parking restriction is imposed whenever Environment Canada predicts a significant snowfall.

Vehicles that remain parked on the street will be ticketed. However, on-street-parking permit holders are exempt.

Coulson said the all-time record snowfall is still a long way off, but "the way this winter is shaping up, nothing is impossible."

The forecast calls for as much as 25 centimetres in Algonquin Park, and 20 centimetres in the Ottawa area, with 10 centimetres overnight, and another 10 centimetres on Wednesday.
 
Environment Canada is saying travellers should be prepared to alter their plans. It says driving conditions will deteriorate significantly Tuesday night and Wednesday.