With Ottawa seeing consistent cold, will the Rideau Canal Skateway finally open?
With Ottawa’s temperatures consistently plunging below freezing this week, residents are eagerly wondering if the iconic Rideau Canal Skateway will open soon. The Weather Network's Kim MacDonald reports.
With Ottawa’s temperatures consistently plunging below freezing this week, residents are eagerly wondering if the iconic Rideau Canal Skateway will open soon.
“Ottawa’s in the midst of a prolonged cold snap,” says Kevin MacKay, a meteorologist at The Weather Network. “We’re going to go over two weeks without surpassing the freezing mark, and every night is going to be in the minus double digits.”
These consistent temperatures bring hope for skating enthusiasts after a disappointing stretch in recent years. The canal opened on January 21, 2024, for the first time in nearly two years but was only available for skating for 10 days before closing on February 25, making it the shortest season in its history.
Not surprising since the temperature only hit -10 as a daytime high three times last year.
The Rideau Canal Skateway was forced to close after just 10 days of opening last year. Daytime highs hit -10 only three times in January 2024. (The Weather Network)
RELATED: Is it safe? How thick does ice need to be to walk or skate on?
While the weather is promising, the National Capital Commission (NCC) has yet to confirm an opening date. In a statement, the NCC shared its cautious optimism, stating, “We’re pleased to see that very cold temperatures are expected to set in for several days in a row. This allows us to continue our preparations in optimal conditions.”
But there’s more to it than just having the canal freeze over. That ice has to meet some high standards. That’s where Carleton University civil and environmental engineering professor Shawn Kenny comes in.
He’s part of the team making sure the ice is safe for the thousands who will skate on it. He does that using an auger to dig into the surface and a radar that can be dragged along the surface.
The NCC monitors the progress of the ice by regularly drilling ice samples, which they refer to as ice carrots. (Courtesy of NCC)
“So they need 30 centimetres of clear ice," Kenny tells The Weather Network. "The issue with snow ice, or white ice, is that it can have expected reduced capacity to carry a load. So whether that's the equipment that the NCC uses to operate and maintain the skateway or whether it's people actually enjoying this skateway itself”
The current forecast gives Ottawa residents reason to be hopeful. For now, all eyes are on the thermometer as preparations continue to bring this beloved winter tradition back to life.
WATCH BELOW: A snowbot could save Ottawa's famous skateway
(Header image courtesy of Mark Spowart/Getty Images)
