Rain and poor ice conditions have forced the National Capital Commission to temporarily close the Rideau Canal Skateway.

The NCC announced this afternoon it would be closing the canal at 11 p.m. Sunday “because of the weather and the expected impact of the rain on the ice.”

Environment Canada is forecasting freezing rain to begin early this evening changing to rain overnight. Fifteen millimetres of rain is expected tomorrow, with temperatures rising to a high of 6 C.

The closure will remain in effect until further notice, the NCC said, both for safety reasons and to minimize damage to the ice surface.

People are asked to respect the barricades and stay off the canal.

“As soon as weather permits, crews will resume maintenance to reopen the Skateway as quickly as possible,” the commission said.

The 40th skating season began Jan. 14 with the opening of a 4.3-kilometre stretch of the canal. Since then, the NCC has opened almost the entire length of the Skateway — 7.4 of 7.8 kilometres.