Severe storms with high winds, hailstones larger than golfballs and flooding rains in southern Ontario and the northeast US forced the cancellation of some 600 flights Wedneday.
While today’s weather is much better, there are still advisories out for Thursday travel.
A monster storm pelted Toronto with heavy rains and massive hailstones the night of 02SEP, causing power outages, felling trees and flooding major streets.
FlightAware says the storm contributed to 167 cancelled flights at YYZ and another 60 at YTZ that evening.
According to Flight Aware, there were 38 flight cancellations at YYZ as of 8:30 a.m. ET this morning, and another 14 at YTZ. It was listing 22 cancellations at LGA.
Thunderstorms also prompted the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to issue a ground stop at LGA for part of Wednesday morning. Nearly 400 flights were cancelled at LGA, YUL, DCA, BOS and PHL.
Air Canada has advisories out for YYZ and YTZ on 03SEP. The airline said it has revised its ticketing policy to make it easier for customers travelling on an affected flight to change their booking without penalty, subject to space availability.
YYZ “is experiencing significant operational disruption due to a prolonged weather event impacting the airport and airspace in the region," the airline added.
"There are Air Traffic Control delays and as a result schedule adjustments are required to maintain a safe operation.”
The airline also has advisories out for LGA, EWR and PHL, stating that flights “may be impacted by forecasted thunderstorms and subsequent Air Traffic Control restrictions.”
Despite the warnings, Air Canada said operations are returning to normal following the storm, which brought about 40 mm of rain to Toronto Pearson. It also said travellers are encouraged to check their flight status directly with their airline, as some schedules were impacted by the weather.
The storm swept through the GTA just after 5 p.m. ET, prompting several warnings from emergency officials to take shelter.
Major flooding was reported in several parts of the city, and the Don Valley Parkway was closed Thursday morning.
