With up to 8 cm of snow expected through the afternoon, possibly turning to mixed precipitation around 4 p.m. EST, Pearson Airport is reporting hundreds of delays—262 according to FlightAware data as of 1:00 p.m. EST. Of those delays, 120 are within, into, or out of the US.
Cancellations currently number 59.
Earlier today on X, Pearson wrote: “Our crews at the Airfield Maintenance Facility are preparing to head out onto the runways to clear any snow that falls. The team will run continuous loops of the airfield to keep critical areas clear.” To manage operations safely, the airport has also activated a Departure Traffic Management Initiative, which regulates aircraft departures during adverse weather.
“The taste of summer-like weather earlier this week is gone,” the airport added.
Passengers departing today should expect to pass through the airport’s Central Deicing Facility before takeoff, as deicing is standard during snowy conditions to ensure aircraft performance.
Pearson has 505 departures scheduled today, with the busiest routes including:
Vancouver (YVR) – 47 departures
LaGuardia (LGA) in New York City – 46 departures
Montreal (YUL) – 44 departures
The snow is part of a broader system affecting much of southern Ontario. Forecasters warn that travel conditions could deteriorate quickly Friday afternoon, with snowfall rates potentially reaching 2 to 3 cm per hour and wind gusts of 50 to 60 km/h. Most of the Greater Toronto Area is expected to receive 5 to 10 cm of snow, with higher amounts possible north of the region’s major highways.
The timing could make for a difficult afternoon commute, coinciding with both the end of the school day and the start of March Break travel for many families. Travellers are advised to allow extra time for airport procedures and monitor their airline for potential delays as crews work to keep operations safe during the wintery weather.
