Random Conversations - Page 15

Richard Eade · #**281** Posted **Jul 5, 2026, 3:34 PM**

Various Websites try to provide historical precipitation amounts. They find the data where they can. Weather Stats is just one of those sites, drawing reports from a number of places. If data is not available from one source, they move on to another potential source.

Weather Stats has a priority list for sources; The Ottawa Airport is number one. But if that is not available, it can move onto source two, which is at the Central Experimental Farm.

I looked up another source, looking specifically at July 1, 2026. According to what Weather Underground read from the Ottawa Airport there was NO PRECIPITATION on that date. Obviously, that is false, but if the Airport’s feed is not working, then that is what automated sites report – ZERO.
Look for your self: https://www.wunderground.com/history/daily/ca/ottawa/CYOW/date/2026-7-1

So, when Weather Stats scraped its data, I suspect that the Ottawa Airport precipitation data was not available. Thus, the app went down its list of possible sources. It finally found one that gave it a value of 82.4 mm of rain. That might have been at the Central Experimental Farm, or another location within Ottawa. The rain did not fall evenly everywhere.

Another site that gives the date and amount of greatest precipitation per year (1890-2023) is Current Results. I didn’t use that site because I did not want to limit the search to one day of the year. However, for September 9, 2004, it gives a rainfall of 108.7 mm. I have seen sources (including Weather Stats) that say 135.4 mm fell that day. Again, the amount of rain that falls in any one location is not necessarily the same as in another location.

My point above was not to provide absolute numbers for precipitation. It was to point out that Ottawa sometimes gets lots of rain. Infrastructure should be designed to handle more than it is currently designed for.

Proof Sheet · #**282** Posted **Jul 6, 2026, 1:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanforest

Where did you get 82.4mm from? 118.4mm is what fell on Canada Day.

I think that is the Central Experimental Farm weather station total

Norman Bates · #**283** Posted **Jul 6, 2026, 1:47 PM**

I measured 88.2 mm in Bridlewood on my NIST-traceable sensor.

kevinbottawa · #**284** Posted **Jul 14, 2026, 1:30 PM**

This past weekend I was in Ottawa for the first time in two years (I moved to Toronto 4 years ago). I was nice seeing a lot of the developments on this forum in-person. I went on a few long walks to try and see as much as possible.

Here are the things I found most impressive:

Office to residential conversation at Elgin and Lisgar: This has to be the most beautiful office to residential conversion I've ever seen.

Claridge Skye and Releve: The whole area around these two developments looks amazing. A real step up for Ottawa, especially with the Food Basics and LRT entrance. I agree with whoever said Dollarama seemed like an odd choice for the retail space at Releve. The Releve design really elevates the whole west side of downtown. Still can't believe it was built and that they were so close to the renderings.

Claridge Moon and Rideau Street: Claridge Moon looked really good in the late evening. Haven't seen it during the day. The Metro was nice too. Actually, outside of all the dirt on the Claridge Plaza buildings (which is worse than I remember), Rideau Street looks good with all the tallish buildings. Feels like a real city.

Scott Street and Tunneys skyline: From Kiweki Point, the Scott Street and Tunneys skyline looks really good. Looking forward to seeing how it grows.

Byward Market: The market was really lively and full of people. The changes they made with the stage, play area for kids, and large patio were very well done.

Space in front of World Exchange: Although there was nobody there, the new redesigned space in front of the World Exchange Plaza was well designed. Really impressed. The Metcalfe Plaza, that looks like a mini festival grounds was nice too.

Medical Arts Building: I really love what they did with the Medical Arts Building.

Park next to the Supreme Court: The new park next to the Supreme Court wasn't open yet, but it's one of the better looking parks that I've seen. I can actually see people using it.

Zibi: Nobody was around when I walked by on Saturday, but standing in the square and looking around at the buildings, the Ottawa side of Zibi is beautiful. I really hope more people start hanging out there.

New Library and Odenak: Saving the best for last, walking down Albert towards the library was an amazing experience. The landscaping and road work were so well done. Seeing Odenak in-person was impressive. Looking around at Odenak, Pimisi Station, the Claridge building, and library, I felt like I was in a different city. Really looking forward to seeing Lebreton Flats built up.

Kiweki Point was okay. There were a lot of people. It provided good views, but wouldn't add it as a highlight. The bridge from Majors Hill Park felt cheap.

Anyway, I only had just over 24 hours in Ottawa so that's all I saw. I spent some time in Vanier and at St. Laurent shopping centre since that whole area still feels like home. If my business didn't take me to Toronto, I wouldn't have left Ottawa. A big part of my heart is still there.

OTSkyline · #**285** Posted **Jul 14, 2026, 3:55 PM**

Thank you for your comments and review. I agree there's been a lot of nice projects and improvements in Ottawa over the past couple of years. It's both refreshing - and reassuring - to hear it from an outsiders' perspective once in a while.

AuxTown · #**286** Posted **Jul 14, 2026, 9:43 PM**

Nice to hear some things in Ottawa might possibly potentially maybe be moving in the right direction.

The biggest thing in recent years for me is the NAC reno. My family and I spend a lot of time there (Broadway shows, concerts, events) and it is one of the nicest spaces in the city (inside and out). While it's not a large area, I always like walking from NAC to the market: lots of tourists and action by the Canal/Chateua/Rideau Centre.

Looking forward to all the areas/projects you mentioned above, Kevin. Your insights are welcome anytime!

kevinbottawa · #**287** Posted **Jul 16, 2026, 12:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

Thank you for your comments and review. I agree there's been a lot of nice projects and improvements in Ottawa over the past couple of years. It's both refreshing - and reassuring - to hear it from an outsiders' perspective once in a while.

I wouldn't consider myself an outsider though. I moved to Toronto out of necessity, but my heart is still in Ottawa. I still check this forum daily.

J.OT13 · #**288** Posted **Jul 16, 2026, 1:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuxTown

Nice to hear some things in Ottawa might possibly potentially maybe be moving in the right direction.

The biggest thing in recent years for me is the NAC reno. My family and I spend a lot of time there (Broadway shows, concerts, events) and it is one of the nicest spaces in the city (inside and out). While it's not a large area, I always like walking from NAC to the market: lots of tourists and action by the Canal/Chateua/Rideau Centre.

Looking forward to all the areas/projects you mentioned above, Kevin. Your insights are welcome anytime!

Since the expansion, the NAC has become a great third space. Always packed with people. I'd love to see some work on the Convention Centre, maybe a café, more art and seating, to make it a more popular spot outside conventions.