Rideau Canal Skateway closed due to freezing rain, warmer weather
The red flag is flying on the Rideau Canal Skateway due to the freezing rain and rising temperatures.
A portion of the skateway opened Sunday for the first time in nearly 700 days, but Ottawa is under a freezing rain warning with 5 to 10 mm of ice accretion forecasted.
The National Capital Commission closed the world's largest skateway at 10 p.m. Wednesday due to the freezing rain. Mild temperatures are expected in Ottawa until Sunday night.
The National Capital Commission says the closure will help preserve the ice during the coming warmer weather and rain this week.
The NCC said approximately 60,000 people went skating on the stretch of the canal that was open between the Pretoria Bridge and Bank Street since Sunday. Ice quality has been listed as "poor" on Wednesday.
"We plan to reopen the Skateway as soon as the weather permits, and it is safe to do so. Stay tuned," the NCC said.
The forecast for Ottawa includes highs in the low plusses on Thursday and Friday, but the cold is set to return by early next week. The overnight low into Monday morning is expected to be -20 C.
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