Extreme cold sweeping across the Greater Toronto Area could lead to flight delays at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Friday, airport officials warned, as frigid temperatures and wind chills grip southern Ontario.
Residents woke up to wind chills near –22 C, with overnight temperatures expected to drop as low as –25 C and feel closer to –30 C. Conditions are forecast to remain bitter through Saturday morning, when wind chills could again approach –28 C.
Airport officials said departing aircraft are moving through the central de-icing facility as crews work to keep planes safe for takeoff. Pearson is expecting more than 121,000 travellers to pass through its terminals on Friday, increasing the likelihood of delays.
Officials cautioned that in extreme cold, outdoor crews must take frequent warming breaks to reduce health risks, a necessary step that can slow airfield operations. Travellers are being advised to check flight statuses before heading to the airport as the cold snap continues.