OTTAWA -- It's the perfect day to take a long lunch or an extended afternoon break, as Mother Nature delivers record-breaking warm temperatures to Ottawa Thursday afternoon.
But enjoy the warm weather today, because record-breaking rainfall is in the forecast for Ottawa on Friday.
The temperature hit 18.6C at 1 p.m. at the Ottawa Airport, setting a record for the warmest March 25 in Ottawa history. The previous record was 17.7C, set back in 1996.
The temperature peaked at 18.9C at 3 p.m.
It's the second day this week Ottawa has set a heat reord. The high of 19.8C on Tuesday afternoon set the record for warmest March 23.
After things cool down tonight, the rain is expected to start. A special weather statement from Environment Canada calls for rain, heavy at times, overnight and all day Friday.
Rainfall amounts will be from 20 to 40 millimetres, with up to 50 millimetres possible in some areas. The rain is expected to taper off by Friday evening.
The record for greatest rainfall in Ottawa on March 26 is 13.2 mm, set back in 1953.
Friday's high will be 12 C.
Sunshine returns on Saturday, with a high of 10C.
Ottawa will see periods of rain on Sunday, and a high of 9C.
