Heavy snow and fierce winds are disrupting travel across southern Ontario, with Toronto Pearson International Airport reporting hundreds of cancellations and delays as a powerful winter storm continues to batter the region.

As snowplows race to keep runways open and airlines struggle to reposition aircraft and crews, thousands of passengers have been left stranded or facing significant itinerary changes at Canada’s busiest airport.

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Storm Slams Southern Ontario and Halts Air Travel

The winter storm swept into the Greater Toronto Area late on Wednesday, January 14, intensifying through Thursday and into Friday, dropping more than 20 centimeters of snow at Toronto Pearson by Thursday afternoon. Environment Canada warned that parts of the region could see total accumulations in the 30 to 40 centimeter range as bands of heavy snow continued to track across southern Ontario.

With visibility deteriorating and snow piling up on runways, Pearson was forced to slow operations significantly on Thursday. Airlines preemptively scrubbed large portions of their schedules, while air traffic control implemented flow restrictions to safely manage the reduced capacity. On Thursday alone, flight-tracking data showed more than 300 cancellations and over 500 delays tied to Pearson as the system struggled to cope with the conditions.

The storm’s impact extended well beyond Toronto. Conditions in Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City and several major United States hubs compounded the disruption, as delays and ground stops elsewhere rippled through airline networks that rely heavily on Toronto as a connecting gateway. For many travelers, this meant missed connections, unplanned overnight stays and long waits to be rebooked onto limited available seats.

Pearson Hit by Wave of Cancellations and Delays

By early Thursday morning, nearly every departure scheduled out of Pearson before midday was showing as delayed, and cancellations mounted as the day went on. Airport officials confirmed that snow-clearing operations were running continuously, with specialized plows making loops of the airfield to keep critical surfaces usable. Even so, the pace of the snowfall made it impossible to maintain normal throughput.

FlightAware and other tracking services reported that on Thursday, January 15, more than 340 flights linked to Toronto Pearson were canceled and several hundred more were delayed, affecting both domestic and international routes. The disruption has persisted into Friday, January 16, with additional cancellations and knock-on delays as airlines reposition aircraft and crews and contend with a new round of snow showers moving into the region.

Short-haul services to cities like Ottawa, Montreal, London and Windsor were among the hardest hit, as carriers prioritized limited capacity for long-haul flights and transborder routes that are more difficult to reschedule. Flights to and from key U.S. hubs, including Chicago, New York and Washington, were also impacted by poor weather in those cities, further complicating recovery efforts at Pearson.

Inside the Terminal: Long Lines, Full Hotels and Frayed Tempers

For passengers inside Pearson’s terminals, the storm translated into long lineups at airline customer service counters, crowded gate areas and stretched-thin concessions. Travelers reported waiting several hours to speak with agents, while others turned to airline apps to try to secure scarce rebooking options or stand-by seats on later departures.

Chairs, floor space and power outlets quickly became prime real estate as stranded passengers settled in for extended waits. Families traveling with children, elderly passengers and those with tight international connections were among the most visibly stressed, as cascading cancellations forced many into unplanned overnight stays. With nearby hotels filling quickly, some travelers resorted to remaining in the terminal until morning flights became available.

Airport staff and volunteers were deployed to assist with wayfinding and general support, while airlines brought in extra personnel where possible. Despite these efforts, many travelers described confusion over changing departure times, gate shuffles and last-minute cancellations as the storm evolved. For those arriving into Pearson, onward connections and ground transportation also posed challenges, with buses delayed, taxis in high demand and roads across the region in poor shape.

New Citywide Snow Response Plan Put to the Test

The storm coincided with the City of Toronto’s first major use of its new Major Snow Event Response Plan, activated on Thursday evening in anticipation of continued heavy snowfall and dangerous travel conditions. City officials declared both a Major Snowstorm Condition and a Significant Weather Event starting at 5 p.m. on January 15, triggering special bylaws and enhanced winter maintenance protocols.

Under the Major Snowstorm Condition, parking on designated snow routes is temporarily banned so that plows can clear key arteries and ensure emergency vehicles can move freely. Violators face towing and fines, a measure designed to keep traffic flowing and prevent bottlenecks that can snarl access to and from the airport and other critical infrastructure.

The Significant Weather Event designation gives the city more flexibility around snow-clearing timelines, acknowledging that with accumulations this heavy, it will take longer than usual to fully clear roadways, sidewalks and bike lanes. Officials warned that it could take several days to clear local streets once the main arterial and transit routes are made safe, and urged residents to avoid nonessential travel and to use public transit where possible.

Roads, Schools and Transit Also Reeling

On the ground, the storm wreaked havoc on the Thursday commute and forced widespread shutdowns across the Greater Toronto Area. Multiple school boards, including those in Toronto, York, Peel and Halton regions, closed schools for the day, while major universities suspended in-person classes and campus operations. Public events, including appearances by provincial and municipal leaders, were postponed or canceled as authorities urged people to stay home.

Ontario Provincial Police and local forces reported hundreds of collisions and vehicles stuck or abandoned along highways and major routes, including sections of Highway 401 and 403. Reduced visibility, drifting snow and slick pavement contributed to a series of pileups and fender-benders, with officials repeatedly asking drivers to slow down and keep extra distance or to postpone trips entirely.

Within Toronto, the transit system also came under pressure. Buses and streetcars were delayed by accumulated snow and slow-moving traffic, while subway riders dealt with crowding and minor service interruptions as people shifted from driving to public transit in response to warnings. For air travelers trying to reach Pearson or downtown’s Billy Bishop Airport, these ground transportation challenges added another layer of uncertainty to already disrupted journeys.

What Stranded and Departing Passengers Need to Know

For anyone scheduled to fly into or out of Toronto Pearson over the next 24 to 48 hours, the primary piece of advice is to check flight status early and often. Airlines continue to adjust schedules in real time as they balance runway conditions, crew duty-time limits and aircraft availability. In many cases, passengers are being automatically rebooked, but options may be limited, especially on popular routes and long-haul services.

Most major carriers have issued flexible travel advisories for affected dates, allowing customers to change flights without penalty within a defined rebooking window. Some are also offering the option to alter itineraries to or from alternate airports, such as Hamilton or London, where conditions and capacity may differ. Travelers should consult their airline directly via official apps or customer service channels to understand the latest options and any eligibility for vouchers or refunds.

Passengers already at the airport are encouraged to allow extra time for all formalities. Icy roads, congested parking lots, lengthy check-in queues and slower security and customs processing can all add to total journey time. Those with morning departures may want to consider arriving even earlier than usual, as staffing and operations gradually ramp back up following the heaviest phase of the storm.

How to Navigate Rebookings, Refunds and Travel Insurance

For travelers whose flights are canceled, the specific remedies available will depend on the airline, the type of ticket purchased and the applicable passenger protection rules. Weather-related disruptions are typically considered outside an airline’s direct control, which can limit obligations for compensation, but carriers generally remain responsible for either rebooking passengers on the next available flight or offering a refund if the trip is no longer possible.

In practice, rebooking can take time during a major disruption as seats on later flights fill quickly. Some passengers may find faster options through self-service tools on airline websites or mobile apps than by waiting in line at a desk. In certain cases, airlines may arrange interline alternatives via partner carriers, particularly on international or long-haul routes, though this is not guaranteed and may be constrained by overall capacity.

Travel insurance can play an important role in offsetting costs such as extra hotel nights, meals and local transportation. Policies vary widely, but many offer coverage for weather-related delays and cancellations once a minimum delay threshold is met. Travelers should keep all receipts and documentation of delays, including airline notices, to support any claims they plan to file after returning home.

Looking Ahead: More Snow, Gradual Recovery

Forecasts suggest that while the most intense phase of the storm has passed, additional light to moderate snow is expected to affect the Toronto area into Friday evening and possibly beyond. Even a few more centimeters can slow down airport operations when crews are already stretched and aircraft and crews are out of position from earlier cancellations.

Pearson officials say snow-clearing teams are already preparing for the next round of snowfall, with repeated passes planned across runways, taxiways and aprons. As winds ease and visibility improves, the airport will attempt to increase capacity, but a full return to normal operations is likely to take at least another day, depending on how quickly airlines can restore their schedules.

Travelers planning flights over the weekend should continue to monitor updates from both the airport and their carriers, anticipate lingering delays and give themselves extra time at every stage of the journey. With the heart of winter still ahead and long-range forecasts calling for a stormy and colder than usual season in southern Ontario, this week’s chaos at Pearson may be a preview of further weather-related disruptions to come.