It will feel like Spring in Ottawa on the final day of Winter

The Rideau Falls at the Ottawa River in Ottawa on Monday. March 18. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa will enjoy Spring-like weather on the final day of a long winter.

Spring officially arrives in Ottawa at 5:01 a.m. Thursday.

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for a high of 14 C today and 17 C on Thursday, well above the normal high of 4 C.

It will be mainly sunny today. High 14 C.

Clear tonight. Low 5 C.

Thursday will be mainly cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of showers. High 17 C.

Environment Canada is calling for rain or flurries Thursday night, with a low of -7 C.

Friday will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. High 6 C.

The outlook for Saturday calls for cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of showers or flurries. High 7 C.

Flood Watch

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has extended a flood watch to the entire Rideau Valley due to the lingering ice coverage.

The conservation authority says there is a risk of ice jamming as the warm temperatures and rising water levels “continue to break up ice cover” across the region.

“Water levels and flows across the Rideau Valley Watershed are stabilized and decreasing; however, they remain moderately elevated due to recent warmer weather, rainfall events, and significant snowmelt,” the conservation authority said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “Low-lying areas along the Rideau River and its tributaries are currently experiencing localized flooding and ice jamming. Some portions of the Rideau River and its tributaries are still partially covered in ice.”

Ottawa River

Water levels along the Ottawa River are above normal for this time of year due to the recent snowmelt and rainfall, according to officials.

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board says downstream of Pembroke, water levels will stabilize today,

“They are expected to increase slightly starting Thursday due to forecast warmer temperatures Wednesday and Thursday combined with small amounts of rain,” the board said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “Next week, water levels and flows are expected to stabilize with the return of colder seasonal temperatures. Water levels in the reach between Gatineau (Hull) and Grenville are currently higher than anticipated due to possible ice effects as the ice cover becomes more fragile.”

Goodbye snow

The snow continues to melt in Ottawa following the mild temperatures and rain.

After 73 cm of snow was recorded on the ground on March 2, there is now only 7 cm of snow on the ground at the Ottawa Airport, according to Environment Canada.