Residents in Mattawa, Ontario, are facing a period of extreme temperature changes as a morning snowfall ends, making way for a deep freeze tonight and a significant thaw early next week. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the heavy snow alerts have been lifted, but temperatures are expected to drop to -12°C tonight with dangerous wind chills.
While travel conditions on local roads are expected to improve now that the snow has stopped, commuters should check Ontario 511 for updates on potential black ice. At the North Bay Airport, early morning temperatures were recorded at -10.6°C, and a high of only -7°C is forecast for the remainder of February 12, 2026.
The brief deep freeze is expected to be short-lived, with a warming trend projected to bring temperatures up to 3°C by February 16, 2026. This rapid shift creates safety concerns for anyone using the Mattawa or Ottawa Rivers, as ice that forms tonight may quickly become unstable during the warm-up.
The Ottawa Riverkeeper warns that a quick thaw can lead to honeycombed ice, which looks solid but lacks the strength to support snowmobiles or people. Local residents are encouraged to adjust their heating and outdoor plans to account for the bitter cold tonight before the warmer weather arrives mid-week.
