Ottawa will see temperatures hit 20 C for the Mother’s Day weekend

A look at downtown Ottawa from the Ottawa River. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa residents will have to endure one more day of cloudy skies and colder-than-normal temperatures, before sunshine and temperatures above 20 C arrive for the Mother’s Day weekend.

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for a mainly cloudy day in Ottawa, with a 30 per cent chance of showers this afternoon. High 10 C.

It will be mainly cloudy tonight with a 30 per cent chance of showers. Low 7 C.

Saturday will start mainly cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers. Environment Canada says it will clear in the afternoon. High 21 C.

Sunday will be sunny. High 19 C.

The outlook for Monday calls for sunshine and a high of 24 C.

It will be sunny on Tuesday. High 28 C.

The record for warmest May 13 in Ottawa history is 28.2 C, set in 1985.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 18 C and a low of 7 C.

Ottawa River

The sunshine and warm temperatures in the forecast are expected to help stabilize water levels on the Ottawa River.

The conservation authorities have ended a flood warning for the Ottawa River from Arnprior to Hawkesbury, and issued a flood watch.

“Water levels and flows along the Ottawa River have stabilized, with only small amounts of snow remaining in the northern part of the basin,” the conservation authorities said Friday. “Water levels are expected to remain elevated over the coming weeks, and the river will remain sensitive to widespread rainfall events.”

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board says water levels are “close to or exceeding” minor flood levels in all locations along the Ottawa River, including at Britannia and the Hull Marina.

“With the forecast of sunny weather and little precipitation over much of the basin over the next few days, water levels and flows are expected to remain stable or to slowly decrease over the coming week,” the planning board said in a statement on its website.

According to the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, water levels are expected to drop on Sunday at Pembroke, Britannia and the Hull Marina.