More than 15 cm of snow is expected to fall beginning Wednesday morning, according to Environment Canada.
An Alberta clipper, a common type of winter storm system, will sweep across Ottawa from the east and result in reduced visibility and trickier travel conditions. The snow will blow up to 30 km/h with a low of minus 10 in the evening.
Environment Canada recommends people leave extra time to travel as roads and walkways will be more difficult to navigate.
The alert is primarily in effect for Ottawa North, Kanata and Orléans.
The alert is issued as yellow under Environment Canada’s new colour system. Yellow is the most common classification and is designated when inclement weather may cause moderate damage.
The new orange level alerts mean “severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts,” according to Environment Canada.
Red alerts, the rarest level, mean that dangerous and possibly life-threatening weather is on its way, with the possibility of “extreme” damage.
