First day of winter brings deep freeze to Ottawa [Video]

Saturday marks the first day of winter and the nation’s capital has hit a deep freeze, with temperatures feeling like minus 24 with the windchill.

“We’re going to see some cool temperatures. In fact, this is air that was on the prairies that brought a lot of cold air,” said David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada.”

“It really began in the Arctic and moved down south.”

Phillips says the next few days will be the coldest of the season, which is also good for the future of the Rideau Canal, that currently has no confirmed opening date.

“This is good ice-growing weather. (people must feel thrilled) in regards to the Rideau Canal because this is something they didn’t see at all last year,” said Phillips.

The skateway was only open for ten skating days for the 2023-2024 season and didn’t open at all the year prior.  

It’s also likely …