Chapter 1: The Ice Storm's Impact

This morning, I woke up to a breathtaking scene: a winter wonderland enveloped in a thick white fog, with trees glistening under a shroud of ice. The previous day, Ottawa experienced a severe ice storm that caused widespread damage, from fallen trees to power outages, creating hazardous driving conditions.

The storm was triggered by a clash between warm, moist air from the south and a persistent cold air mass from Eastern Ontario into Quebec. According to David Phillips, a senior climatologist with Environment Canada, Ottawa lies in a geographical hotspot for freezing rain. The city’s valley location allows denser cold air to settle, preventing lighter, warmer air from displacing it. As a result, the rain that falls becomes freezing rain, a phenomenon that occurs about 60 hours each year in Ottawa—significantly more than in most other Canadian cities.

The aftermath is both perilous and enchanting. The added weight of the ice, exacerbated by strong winds, leads to numerous fallen trees in my neighborhood. The roads become treacherous, and power lines often snap under the strain. Yet, the sight of ice-coated trees is mesmerizing, resembling decorations from a fairy tale or the enchantment of a Disney ice princess.

While photographing a branch from my window, I watched it break just moments after capturing the image. Thanks to friends who encourage me every Tuesday to set work aside and join them for snowshoeing in the picturesque Gatineau Park in Quebec, I've come to appreciate the harsh Ottawa winters much more than I did during my first winter here.

In 2020, I arrived during the pandemic, and winter felt like an added layer of isolation in a locked-down Ottawa. However, last winter—and especially this one—has brought me countless beautiful memories, making me cherish the magical landscapes of snow, hills, trees, and blue skies.

What I long for, however, is an extended spring. It's my favorite season, yet here it feels fleeting. While snow still lingers outside, forecasts predict temperatures will soar to 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit) by next Wednesday—an indication of what we would consider summer back in the Netherlands.

Today marked a transition. The winter wonderland I admired upon waking vanished like a fleeting Banksy artwork. Just hours later, I found myself outside without a coat while running errands.

Summer is approaching, perhaps after a brief spring defined in Ottawa as the period from the first blooming flower to the last tulip.

The evening was capped off with a stunning sunset, signaling the change.

The video captures the breathtaking scenes of heavy snow in downtown Ottawa during the winter storm, showcasing the majestic yet treacherous beauty of winter in the capital.

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