Winter Chaos Slams US and Canada: Nearly 10,000 Flights Grounded
A savage winter storm and polar vortex have thrown the US and eastern Canada into chaos. Freezing temps and heavy snow have forced nearly 10,000 flight cancellations across major airports this weekend.
Flight Fiasco: Thousands of Cancellations Wreck Weekend Plans
By mid-morning on Saturday, 3,500 US flights were already axed. Toronto’s Pearson Airport faced 170 cancellations as up to 20cm of snow was forecast for Sunday.
Air Canada alone scrapped 179 flights over recent days. Sunday looks brutal with 8,800 cancellations across the US and nearly 500 at Pearson — wiping out over a third of scheduled flights.
Freezing Cold and Snow Slam Major Cities From Texas to New England
Two-thirds of Americans are bracing for a “monster winter storm” spanning more than 2,000 miles. The brutal system is dumping snow and ice from Texas all the way to New England.
Toronto and Montreal face bitter temperatures and heavy snowfall into next week, with The Weather Network warning up to 20cm at both YYZ and Montreal’s YUL airport on 25-26 January.
Airlines Issue Travel Warnings as Temperatures Plunge
Air Canada has issued advisories for more than a dozen airports, including New York’s LGA, BOS, JFK, Ottawa, and Washington D.C. WestJet also warns travellers at Halifax, Quebec City, Atlanta, and others.
Pearson Airport officials warned on Twitter: “It’s a bitterly cold morning with wind chill making it feel like -24°C.” Staff are on high alert, preparing for worsening conditions as heavy snow hits.
“Two-thirds of the US population is facing down a monster winter storm and extreme cold.” – CNN
