October weather in Ottawa: Rare heatwave extending summer feelings [Video]

The National Capital Region will be basking in the fall sun over the coming days, with near summer-like temperatures in the forecast.

By early next week, Environment Canada is predicting temperatures in Ottawa to be in the low 20s, double what the seasonal average is normally for this time of year.

“For this time of year in the Ottawa region, we should be seeing daytime highs in the low double digits, so 10 to 12 C is what we should be seeing,” says Steven Flisfeder, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada.

“It is fairly uncommon (at this time of year), especially for this duration.”

Flisfeder says the abnormally high temperatures can be attributed to a high-pressure system settling over the region.

“A ridge of high pressure, really inhibiting any kind of cloud, and think of it as a pressure cooker. It’s keeping all the air towards the surface, and …