Ottawa to enjoy stretch of above-seasonal temperatures before -20 C weather returns on Sunday

A winter afternoon along Mackenzie Avenue, next to Major's Hill Park, in downtown Ottawa. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa residents will enjoy above-seasonal temperatures over the next couple of days, before temperatures drop below -20 C overnight next week.

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for a high of 5 C on Thursday, 1 C on Friday and 0 C on Saturday, and overnight lows of -9 C on Thursday night and -4 C Friday night.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of -6 C and a low of -16 C.

It will be a mainly cloudy day in Ottawa with a few flurries beginning this morning. High -5 C.

Flurries ending this evening then cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. Low -9 C.

Mainly cloudy on Friday. High 1 C.

Saturday will be cloudy with a 70 per cent chance of flurries. High 0 C.

The cold temperatures return Saturday night, with a low of -14 C.

The outlook for Sunday calls for mainly cloudy. High -11 C.

Monday will be sunny. High -16 C, with the overnight low of -27 C.

Travel advisory in Kingston, Napanee and Belleville area

You will want to give yourself some extra time if you’re driving from Ottawa to Kingston and Toronto today.

A winter weather travel advisory is in effect for an area stretching from Kingston to Napanee, Belleville, Quinte West and on to Port Hope.

Environment Canada says lake effect snow bands off Lake Ontario will move into the area today, with 5 to 10 cm of snow expected. Peak snowfall rates of 2 to 4 cm of snow an hour are expected.

“After a brief break late this morning, additional lake effect snow is expected this afternoon. The snow will move out of the area by early this evening,” Environment Canada said.