Environment Canada has upgraded special weather statements previously issued for the Ottawa area to snowfall and winter storm warnings.
In the city of Ottawa, a snowfall warning advises residents to prepare for heavy snow at times on Thursday night and into Friday morning.
The snow is forecast to taper off by Friday night, at which point residents can expect between 15 and 25 centimetres of snow on the ground.
The snowfall may impact the Thursday evening commute but Environment Canada says it’s more concerned about Friday morning’s commute at this time.
“Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions,” the weather agency wrote.
“Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.”
A similar warning with the same snowfall projections is in place for Prescott and Russell.
Environment Canada has also issued a winter storm warning for the Winchester, Morrisburg, Alexandria and Cornwall areas.
The warning advises residents to expect “hazardous winter conditions” and between 25 and 35 centimetres of snow by Friday night.
Like in Ottawa, the agency predicts heavy snow on Thursday night into Friday morning.
The agency encourages people to keep monitoring weather forecasts and alerts during the snowfall.