2-4 cm of snow expected in Ottawa today, with a break from the frigid temperatures on the way

Snow covers the Rideau Canal Skateway on Thursday morning. (James Fish/CTV Morning Live)

It will be a snowy day in Ottawa, with a break on the way from the -20 C temperatures that gripped the area over the past few days.

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for 2 to 4 centimetres of snow today, with a chance of flurries this evening.

The high will be -7 C, with the wind chill making it feel like -13 this afternoon.

Partly cloudy tonight with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. Low -16 C with the wind chill making it feel like -22.

Friday will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. High -9 C.

Saturday will be cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. High -7 C.

Sunday will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. High -4 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of -6 C and a low of -16 C.

Cold temperatures

This has been the coldest stretch of temperatures in Ottawa this winter.

The temperature dropped to -21.1 C on Wednesday, the coldest temperature of the year so far. Monday’s low was -19.8 C, while the temperature dipped to -20.8 C on Tuesday.

Environment Canada’s monthly temperature forecast calls for temperatures to be above seasonal in Ottawa through the end of January and the first three weeks of February.