Toronto Pearson Airport is gearing up for significant flight disruptions as a powerful winter storm prepares to blanket the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with up to 25 cm of snow. Passengers flying in and out of Pearson should brace for delays and cancellations, as airlines have already begun preemptively grounding flights in response to the severe weather forecast.
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Airlines Cancel Flights Ahead of the Storm
According to an announcement from Toronto Pearson on X (formerly Twitter), traffic management initiatives will be implemented to maintain smooth operations. However, with what is being called “the GTA’s biggest snowstorm of the season” set to hit tonight, widespread travel disruptions appear inevitable.
Pearson Airport’s airfield maintenance specialists will be working around the clock to clear runways, taxiways, and ramp areas. Despite these efforts, officials urge passengers to check their flight status directly with their airlines before heading to the airport.
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Hundreds of Flights Already Canceled or Delayed
As of Wednesday morning, flight tracking website FlightAware has reported 119 cancellations and 109 delays for both arrivals and departures at Pearson.
- Air Canada, including its affiliates Jazz and Rouge, accounts for 101 of these cancellations.
- WestJet has scrapped 14 flights.
- Porter Airlines has canceled two flights so far.
Tomorrow’s cancellations are also piling up, with 56 flights already scrapped for Thursday. Among these, Air Canada and its partners account for 45 cancellations, while WestJet has cut 11 flights—and the numbers are expected to rise.
Snowstorm to Bring Blizzard Conditions and Hazardous Travel
The storm is set to arrive Wednesday afternoon and last through Thursday morning, with heavy snowfall rates of 2 to 4 cm per hour, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s latest snowfall warning.
Additional Weather Hazards Include:
- Blowing snow, leading to reduced visibility.
- Ice pellets and freezing rain, increasing the risk of treacherous road conditions.
- Winds gusting up to 60 km/h, compounding the already challenging travel environment.
The Weather Network warns that the 401 corridor and much of Southern Ontario will bear the brunt of this system, making road travel highly hazardous.
Travellers Advised to Stay Informed and Plan Ahead
With worsening conditions expected, passengers are strongly encouraged to:
- Check flight statuses frequently via their airline’s website or Pearson’s updates.
- Allow extra travel time to reach the airport safely.
- Monitor weather warnings to stay informed on changing conditions.
And if that’s not enough, another storm is already forecasted to hit this weekend, potentially compounding the winter travel nightmare.
For now, anyone with upcoming travel plans through Pearson should prepare for disruptions and remain flexible as the situation unfolds.
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