Record warm Halloween in Ottawa, with a risk of rain for trick-or-treating

Trick-or-treaters may need the raingear, but not the big coat for Halloween, on a record-breaking warm day in Ottawa.

The temperature hit 23.5 C at 2 p.m., setting a record for the warmest Oct. 31 in Ottawa history. The previous record was 21.3 C set back in 2003.

This is the 10^th October day with the temperature hitting 20 C.

Environment Canada's forecast says the temperature is expected to be 23 C at 6 p.m. and 22 C at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Environment Canada says there could be rain in Ottawa between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Wednesday's high of 22 C set a record for warmest Oct. 30 in Ottawa. The previous high was 20.7 C set in 1989.

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The hot fall weather will come to an end on Friday, with temperatures dropping below seasonal this weekend.

"As soon as the trick-or-treaters come back in, there's going to be some showers, and that's going to be the end of the warm weather, essentially. So, tomorrow we're back to normal temperatures," said Peter Kimbell, warning preparedness meteorologist, Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud today. High 23 C with the humidex making it feel like 25.

Showers beginning this evening and ending after midnight. Low 13 C.

Friday will be mainly cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of showers late in the morning and in the afternoon. The temperature falling to 6 C.

Saturday will be sunny. High 6 C.

The outlook for Sunday calls for sunshine and a high of 10 C.

Monday will have a mix of sun and cloud. High 9 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 8 C and a low of 1 C.

Ottawa ending garbage collection early

The City of Ottawa says waste collection trucks will be off the road by 6 p.m. for Halloween.

"If your leaf and yard waste is missed, be sure to leave it out for collection tomorrow, November 1," the city said.

Record warm weather

Ottawa residents took advantage of the record-breaking high temperatures on Wednesday, hitting the courts and the courses.

"We've already played for 20 minutes, it's been fabulous. This is really extraordinary weather," Jack Dejong said on Wednesday.

"Just hoping we get another two weeks, at least might be a bit hopeful for November," Edwin Wong said.

At Emerald Links golf course, the warm weather is great for business.

"This year has been great through October, right in, hopefully, into November and the same results but I know the cold weather is coming," owner Martin Patterson said.

According to Kimbell, warm weather this time of year is not a first.

"It's not actually uncommon to have warm weather in late October. I mean, I'm looking at the records, and we did beat a record yesterday. We are probably going to beat a record today. We had warm weather in 1961, 1971, 1938, 1944, 1989. So," Kimbell added.

"But I'm sure the kids this evening will enjoy it regardless."

With files from CTV News Ottawa's Kimberley Fowler