Record Rainfall Hits Ottawa, Tornado Scare Subsides

Following a tumultuous weather day in Ottawa, record-breaking rain and tornado scares made headlines on Monday. The picturesque ByWard Market area was drenched in heavy rainfall, showcasing nature’s force. In fact, Ottawa witnessed a staggering 38.7 mm of rain at the airport, shattering a 1981 record for one-day rainfall.

The impacts reverberated across the region with downtown Ottawa receiving 29.5 mm and Moose Creek, near Cornwall, recording 40.9 mm of rain. Fortunately, the tornado warnings in areas like Prescott-Russell and Mont-Tremblant did not result in any reported funnel clouds touching down. However, precautionary measures remained in place to ensure the safety of residents.

At the crux of the storm was Environment Canada issuing a grim forecast for the city, predicting continued rain but with a hope of improvement from the previous day. The forecast outlined a morning laced with clouds and a 40% chance of showers or drizzle. As the day progresses, a few showers are expected to make an appearance around noon, potentially accompanied by the risk of a thunderstorm in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Rigaud, Que., faced a post-storm challenge as the local fire department initiated investigations into a significant rainfall event near the Ontario border that caused damage to multiple homes. This highlighted the localized impacts of extreme weather events and the need for swift response and recovery measures.

As the weather settles into the midweek, clearer conditions are anticipated in Ottawa with temperatures hovering around 20 C. Wednesday is forecasted to bring mainly sunny skies, offering a brief respite from the recent downpour. Thursday follows suit with a mix of sun and clouds maintaining the pleasant atmosphere around the city.