A powerful winter storm sweeping across the southern United States could disrupt flights at Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, in the coming days.
The storm, which follows a deadly system earlier this week that left at least four people dead and dozens injured in the U.S. Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions, is expected to bring snow, ice, and rain starting Wednesday night.
According to reports, the storm will hit western Texas before moving through Oklahoma and Arkansas, eventually making its way to the eastern U.S. by the end of the week. These icy conditions could lead to flight cancellations or delays at Pearson, particularly for routes to and from affected areas in the southern United States.
Airport Advisory
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday morning, Pearson Airport advised travelers flying to southern states to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
“If you’re flying to southern states today we recommend you check your flight status,” the airport stated.
Local Weather Challenges
Closer to home, Ontario residents are enduring a deep freeze, with temperatures at Pearson Airport feeling like -20°C with the windchill, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
The frigid weather is also impacting airport operations, as outdoor workers require regular breaks to warm up, leading to slower-than-usual processing times.
“On frigid days like today, outdoor workers will need to take regular breaks to warm up, which means some outdoor processes might be slower than usual,” Pearson Airport noted.
Travel Recommendations
Passengers are encouraged to monitor their flight status through their airline or the airport’s official flight status portal. Those traveling to southern U.S. destinations in particular should prepare for potential delays or cancellations as the storm progresses.
For updates on flight disruptions and weather-related impacts, visit the Toronto Pearson Airport website or follow their social media channels.