Odds of a 'White Christmas' in the capital continue to shrink

Published Dec 23, 2023 • Last updated 12 minutes ago • 2 minute read

People were out doing last minute errands and holiday shopping in Westboro, Saturday, Dec. 23 2023. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

The weather people are saying don’t let random flurries over the next 48 hours fool you.

It’s deception, forecasters are saying.

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A “white Christmas” is defined as having two cm or more of snow on the ground at 7 a.m. on Dec. 25.

“Most folks across Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada will see a ‘green’ Christmas this year, going without so much as a trace of snow sticking around as temperatures rise well above freezing,” the Weather Network says on its site.

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Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City face slightly higher chances of snow.

Of course, this is Ottawa, where weather predictions have to be taken with a grain of rock salt.

Regular shopping hotspots, particularly in the Glebe and Westboro’s Wellington Street stretch, appeared to be doing brisk business Saturday.

The first misleading weather event is expected in Ottawa on Saturday, with a 70 per cent chance of light snow late in the afternoon, according to Environment Canada.

There’s also a risk of freezing drizzle late in the afternoon. The high is expected to be about -4 C, with wind making the temperature feel like -6 this afternoon.

Light snow, with risk of freezing drizzle, is expected Saturday night, while the temperature will remain steady near -4 C.

There’s a 60 per cent chance of flurries and a risk of freezing drizzle on Sunday, Christmas Eve day. The temperature is expected to remain steady near -1 C, climbing to around 0 C overnight.

Christmas Day is looking cloudy with a high of 5 C and no snow sightings.

Tuesday’s early forecast is similar: slightly colder, with a high of about 1 C.

Forecasters expect a 70-per-cent chance of rain Tuesday night, with a low near zero.

Rain forecasts continue into Wednesday, with a high of 3 C. There’s a 40-per-cent chance of flurries, but certainly not enough to build a snowman with.

More light flurries could be in store Thursday, with a 30 per cent chance in the afternoon and evening.

So far, Friday looks like a mix of sun and cloud, with a high of -3 C.

People were out doing last-minute errands and holiday shopping in Westboro, Saturday, Dec. 23 2023. The only thing missing from this Christmas season is a lot of snow on the ground. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia People were rushing around doing last-minute errands and holiday shopping in Westboro. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia People were out doing last-minute errands and holiday shopping in Westboro. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia