Frost Warning as Heat Breaks Over Ottawa
Environment Canada alerts to near-freezing temperatures overnight Friday. Spring crops and tender plants at risk as crisp winds replace humid Thursday.
After a stretch of high heat that had the city feeling oppressive, a dramatic weather shift is arriving Thursday evening. Humidity's making way for crisp winds and significantly cooler air, but the flip side isn't gentle: Environment Canada is warning of frost risk overnight into Friday, with temperatures potentially falling to or below freezing.
For gardeners and farmers in the region, this timing is precarious. Any plants or crops that have already leafed out or begun flowering are vulnerable to damage from the sudden cold snap. Trees and perennials that were coaxed into growth by the warmth are at particular risk.
The frost warning underscores how unpredictable spring can be in Ottawa. Just days of warmth convinced everything it was safe to emerge, and now the calendar's playing a cruel trick. If you've recently planted annuals or moved sensitive plants outdoors, tonight's the night to cover them or bring them back inside.
It's the kind of weather whiplash that defines May in the nation's capital—one day summer's knocking, the next you're remembering why the frost date matters.