Rising temperatures in the capital are a sure sign spring is just around the corner.
With less than two weeks of winter left Mother Nature dished out temperatures in the double digits this weekend. Ottawa reached a high of 10 degrees by Saturday afternoon.
That was warm enough for restaurants in the Byward Market to put out their patio furniture. Tom Gaitens called it a boost for business.
“The restaurants gets a lot bigger in size, there are a lot more people that come in, a lot of tourists and stuff like that, so everyone comes in to enjoy,” Gaitens said.
Vendors in the market said having warm weather in the middle of March gives them more time to sell.
“We’re really actually weather dependant, when it comes down to being on the street and selling, if the weather is nice people are out here, are happier,” said vendor, Brenda Towes.
It was so warm that ice blasting on the Rideau River was cancelled. Instead, warm temperatures melted the ice.
Weather also melted most of the snow at the Innes Road Golfland.
“We’re pretty weather dependant but we’re looking to stay open for the week, especially through March break, it gives the kids something to do, looking for their golf balls in the snow,” said Martin Patterson, Gold Land’s general manager.
Sunday, temperatures are expected to stay the same as we prepare to Spring Forward for Daylights Saving. March 13th at 2:00a.m. clocks will move ahead one hour to 3:00a.m.
