Rain, massive thaw begins in Ottawa, eastern Ontario

Ottawa, eastern Ontario and the valley could see a maximum of 30 millimetres of rain today as a rainfall warning continues.

​Environment Canada ended its freezing rain warning on Friday morning, but the heavy rainfall means travellers in eastern Ontario "are urged to exercise caution as untreated roads may become icy and slippery."

• WEATHER | Ian Black's forecast
• Ottawa-Gatineau school bus cancellations

There was some freezing rain overnight, but CBC Ottawa Climatologist Ian Black said the city should expect as much as 20 to 30 mm of rain Friday.

Some areas could see as much as 40 millimetres of rain over the two days in eastern Ontario.

There is concern about water accumulation from melting snow caused by a high around 4 C on Friday. The City of Ottawa said this week it’s planning for large puddles along many roads and asks residents to call 311 if they see a dangerously large puddle.

Winds are also expected to increase as the rain comes to an end Friday afternoon, with gusts up to 70 or 80 kilometres per hour.

The Rideau Canal Skateway was closed as of midnight Thursday in anticipation of the changing weather.

School buses were cancelled for English school boards in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and the valley, but they were still running in Gatineau and the Outaouais. Some buses were cancelled at French school boards in Ottawa and eastern Ontario.