Toronto

Is Toronto Pearson Airport turbulent?

Toronto experiences classic Great Lakes weather: lake-effect snow in winter and summer thunderstorms. Cold Arctic air passing over the relatively warm lake waters generates heavy, localized snowfall that can dump feet of snow on the airport while areas just miles away stay clear. Winter operations require extensive de-icing that causes delays.

• Lake-effect snow can produce intense, localized snowfall
• Aircraft must be de-iced before takeoff in freezing conditions
• Summer thunderstorms develop along lake breeze boundaries

What is lake-effect snow?

When cold Arctic air flows across the relatively warm Great Lakes, it picks up moisture and dumps it as intense snowfall on the downwind shore. Toronto can receive heavy snow while areas just kilometers away get nothing. These events are hard to predict precisely and can shut down operations quickly.

When is the best time to fly from Toronto?

Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) offer the most reliable conditions. Winter (December-March) brings lake-effect snow risk and cold-weather de-icing delays. Summer is generally good but afternoon thunderstorms occur. Build extra time for connections during winter travel.