Cold weather continues to grip Ottawa on Monday

The Ottawa River Pathway behind Parliament Hill. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)

Cold temperatures continue to grip Ottawa to start the full first week of 2025, with overnight lows continuing in the minus double digits all week.

It was -17 C at 6 a.m., with the wind chill making it feel like -23.

The National Capital Commission took advantage of the cold temperatures this weekend to flood the Rideau Canal Skateway. The world's largest skateway remains closed to skaters this winter.

"We’re making use of the cold temperatures to speed up our preparations in optimal conditions," the NCC said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

"We took advantage of the weekend to flood the full length of the Skateway, and we will continue to flood every evening to speed up ice formation. Before the NCC opens the Rideau Canal Skateway, ice samples must show that there is a good quantity of quality clear ice for safe public skating. The decision to open the Skateway is made only when the ice is deemed safe."

Environment Canada's forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud today. High -9 C, with the wind chill making it feel like -14 this afternoon.

Mainly cloud tonight with a few flurries overnight. Low -13 C.

Tuesday will see a few flurries ending near 12 p.m. then mainly cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. High -8 C.

Wednesday will be cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of flurries. High -12 C.

The outlook for Thursday calls for cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of flurries. High -10 C.

Friday will see a mix of sun and cloud. High -6 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of -6 C and a low of -15 C.

Colder than normal January

The cold temperatures are expected to continue in Ottawa through the month of January.

Environment Canada's monthly temperature forecast calls for temperatures to be below normal over the next four weeks.

"From this moment on, for the next two weeks, we see some pretty cold, arctic air – Siberian air, Alaskan air, call it what you may – but it really is coming in and filling all the nooks and crannies in the Ottawa Valley," David Phillips, Environment Canada senior climatologist, told CTV News Ottawa last Friday. "Really, two weeks that you will not see any melting temperatures at all."

With files from CTV News Ottawa's Ted Raymond