Weather: Flooding after an afternoon storm closed part of Highway 417

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Late-afternoon thunderstorms on Thursday causes overland flooding on sections of Highway 417 in Ottawa, closing part of the highway during rush hour.

Ontario Provincial Police said rainwater had flooded the highway between Richmond Road and Bayshore Drive in the west end, and all westbound lanes were closed as of 4:48 p.m.

An online post from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation said the area was cleared within about an hour.

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An OPP spokesperson said there was also water on an eastbound onramp to Highway 417 from the Vanier Parkway.

In Centretown, the Ottawa Police Service issued a notice that the intersection of Gladstone and Bronson avenues was also closed because of flooding. “Further closures in the area may also be in effect. Please avoid the area and find an alternate route,” the post said.

Environment Canada meteorologist Shem Willie said about 30 millimetres of rain fell at the Ottawa airport on Thursday afternoon, with about 44 millimetres recorded closer to the city centre. Radar estimates showed some parts of the city would have received between 50 and 60 millimetres.

The weather agency had downgraded a weather warning issued earlier in the day, when it said the storm could result in heavy rainfall totalling 40 to 70 millimetres and wind gusts up to 90 km/h.

The temperature reached a maximum of 21-22 C during the day, but dropped into the upper teens following the storm.

The inclement weather prompted Veterans Affairs Canada to move D-Day memorial ceremonies Thursday from the National War Memorial to the Cartier Drill Hall.

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A planned flyby of two CF-18 Hornet aircraft was also called off due to the inclement weather.

Friday’s forecast was mainly cloudy with 60 per cent chance of showers and a risk of a thunderstorm in the afternoon.

Winds are expected to hit 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h late in the morning.

The high is expected to hit 20 C, with moderate UV index levels of 5.

The weekend forecast is not looking positive with a 60-per-cent chance of showers Saturday and a high of 17 C.

There’s a 30-per-cent chance of showers Saturday night, and the low should be around 12 C.

More clouds are in the outlook for Sunday, with 40 per cent chance of showers. The high should be 18 C.

A 40-per-cent chance of showers is expected and the high should be 18 C.

The low is expected to be 13 C.

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