Ottawa – It has been too hot for Rideau Canal to open for skaters, but now it’s too cold for another traditional winter activity Ottawa – The winterlude The festival’s ice-carving competition.
The city’s annual winter festival is off to a cold start and has decided to cancel many outdoor activities.
The festival’s website says that due to extreme cold all activities taking place outside today are being nixed for the safety of staff, volunteers and visitors.
An extreme cold warning is in effect for the whole of eastern Ontario and western Quebec, with temperatures in Ottawa expected to wind chill of -41°C this evening.
Winterlude historically draws tourists for another reason – but the Rideau Canal Skateway, said to be the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink, broke the record for its latest opening date due to earlier mild weather Is.
The start of the National Ice Carving Championship is being postponed till Saturday.