Arctic cold snap and winter storms ground hundreds of flights across Canada and US, stranding thousands of travellers

A punishing cold snap gripping much of Canada grounded hundreds of flights this weekend, snarling air travel at major airports and stranding weary passengers as airlines struggled to cope with extreme temperatures and heavy snowfall.

According to CTV News, after an exhausting 11-hour journey from Rio de Janeiro to Toronto, Guilherme Holtz and his family were expecting to reach their home in Quebec City by Saturday morning(January 24). Their 8 am connecting flight was later cancelled, forcing the family to rebook on a replacement departure scheduled for 6 pm.

“I’m hoping that it stays like that there’s no more cancellations, and we can go home,” Holtz said. “I am very tired and we just want to get home, but it’s 10 hours more to do all this whole trip. It’s very long.”


A wave of cold weather sweeping across the country triggered widespread delays and cancellations at most of Canada’s major airports. At Toronto Pearson International Airport alone, more than 20 per cent of the over 900 arriving and departing flights were cancelled between Friday and Saturday, according to the airport’s website, while another 20 per cent were delayed.

According to Environment Canada, a severe cold snap enveloped much of Ontario on Saturday, driving wind chill values in Toronto and Ottawa down past –30 C.

The deep freeze was expected to last through the weekend, with 15 to 30 centimetres of snow forecast for Toronto and southern Ontario, along with poor visibility and wind gusts up to 50 km/h.

Toronto Pearson International Airport said in a social media post that it was closely tracking the winter storm and preparing operational responses ahead of snowfall expected Sunday morning.

“Crews at our Airfield Maintenance Facility are ready for snow removal operations across the airfield, including runways, taxiways, and apron areas, with more than 100 pieces of equipment,” they said.

Passengers were urged to check flight statuses as WestJet warned of disruptions across eastern Canada and major US hubs, while extreme cold from New Brunswick to Alberta drove Prairie wind chills down to –55 C.

In a notice posted online, Air Canada said severe cold at Toronto and Montreal airports was disrupting operations and allowing customers to rebook without fees.

In a notice posted online, Air Canada said severe cold at Toronto and Montreal airports was disrupting operations and allowing customers to rebook without fees. A severe US winter storm cancelled thousands of flights, including some headed to Canada.