Breaking: Massive Delays Hit Toronto Pearson, Newark, LaGuardia, Chicago, and Tampa Airports as Winter Storm Devin and High Winds Disrupt Travel – What’s Causing the Chaos?

As of Tuesday, December 30, 2025, air travel across major North American hubs, including Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Newark (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), and Tampa (TPA), is facing significant disruptions. Winter Storm Devin, which wreaked havoc across the U.S. during the holiday season, continues to affect flight schedules, causing ripple effects that stretch far beyond the Northeast.

Toronto Pearson International Airport, one of the busiest in Canada, is seeing more than 135,000 passengers traveling through its terminals today. While the airport remains operational, the storm’s ongoing impacts are felt both in the U.S. and Canada, with the FAA and National Weather Service (NWS) warning passengers about delays related to the storm, high winds, and operational challenges caused by the bad weather.

What Is Happening at Toronto Pearson Airport?

Toronto Pearson (YYZ), located in Canada’s largest city, continues to handle heavy passenger volume as travelers rush to make their flights for the holidays. With a total of 978 scheduled flight movements for December 30, including 489 arrivals and 489 departures, the airport is operating at full capacity. In total, passengers will collectively travel 2,454,000 kilometers—equivalent to circling the world 61 times today.

Despite the heavy volume, YYZ is also impacted by the ripple effect from U.S. weather, especially from Northeast hubs such as Newark, LaGuardia, and Chicago. While operations at Toronto Pearson are running relatively smoothly, travelers are warned about delays due to weather-induced disruptions at key U.S. airports.

Where Are the Major Disruptions Happening?

The FAA and NWS have confirmed that several U.S. airports are dealing with severe weather conditions due to Winter Storm Devin, with the effects extending well beyond just the Northeast.

1. Newark (EWR):
   • Newark Airport is experiencing significant delays due to high winds, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph. The FAA has activated a Ground Delay Program (GDP) to manage traffic into the airport. Winds are expected to persist, causing further delays throughout the day.
2. LaGuardia (LGA):
   • LaGuardia is under a Possible Ground Stop due to high winds and the possibility of snow squalls affecting visibility. A Ground Delay Program may also be triggered as conditions worsen in the afternoon, slowing the flow of arriving flights.
3. Chicago (ORD):
   • Chicago O’Hare is operating at nearly 90% of its normal capacity, but high winds, gusting to 40 mph, continue to affect the airport’s regional flights. Operations are recovering from the snowstorm experienced the day before, but delays persist.
4. Tampa (TPA):
   • Tampa International is seeing delays due to a Low Ceiling Initiative, which is a result of low clouds and rain brought on by a cold front. These weather conditions are slowing arrival rates and causing operational slowdowns.

What Are the FAA’s Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs)?

To address the severe weather’s impact on air traffic, the FAA has implemented several Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) designed to mitigate congestion and manage the flow of aircraft.

1. Ground Delay Programs (GDP):
   • Aircraft bound for Newark and LaGuardia may experience delays at their origin airports, including Toronto Pearson, as part of a GDP to prevent air traffic overload at these hubs.
2. Airborne Holding:
   • If you are flying to Chicago or Tampa, your flight could be placed in a circular holding pattern until a landing slot becomes available due to weather-related congestion.
3. Route Closures (Capping/Tunneling):
   • The FAA has also implemented tunneling to guide aircraft into narrower, lower-altitude flight corridors in order to avoid the worst wind and rain in the Northeast. These route closures can add 15–30 minutes to the typical flight time.

What Is the Latest Weather Impact in the Northeast and Florida?

While the heavy snow from Winter Storm Devin has moved into the Atlantic, the Wrap-around effect is still impacting the I-95 corridor from Washington D.C. to Boston. Light rain and powerful winds are currently battering these areas, creating hazardous travel conditions.

1. New York to Boston:
   • The I-95 corridor continues to deal with the wind and rain mix, which has triggered flight delays and slowdowns at airports like Newark, LaGuardia, and Boston Logan. Visibility may be significantly reduced, causing temporary ground stops.
2. Florida (Tampa):
   • A strong cold front moving through the Southeast is bringing breezy, cooler conditions to Tampa. While snow is not expected, the wind and low visibility are causing minor disruptions at Tampa International Airport, where arrival delays are occurring due to wind direction shifts and low clouds.

How Will the Weather Affect Travelers?

Travelers heading through Toronto Pearson today should be prepared for potential delays, especially if their flight is headed to the Northeast. While the weather in Toronto is clear, the ripple effect of the storm is likely to cause delays due to congested U.S. airports.

Key Advice for Travelers:

• Check the FAA’s National Airspace System (NAS) for up-to-the-minute updates on Ground Stops and possible delays at U.S. airports.
• Monitor your airline’s updates on flight status, especially if traveling to Newark, LaGuardia, or Chicago, as weather-related delays are likely.
• Expect potential “knock-on” delays: Even if the weather in Toronto is clear, flights may still be delayed if aircraft or crew are stranded in affected areas.
• Allow extra time for your journey, especially if flying to or from U.S. airports that are experiencing weather-induced delays.

What Is the Overall Impact on Holiday Travel?

With over 135,000 passengers transiting through Toronto Pearson today, the peak holiday travel period is in full swing. While Toronto’s operations are relatively stable, the ripple effect from Winter Storm Devin continues to impact the entire North American air travel network. The FAA’s and NWS’s ongoing management of the situation is crucial to minimizing further disruptions, but the severe weather is expected to cause delays through the final days of 2025.

Travelers are strongly encouraged to stay informed, prepare for potential disruptions, and expect longer-than-usual travel times due to weather-related delays and logistical challenges.

The post Breaking: Massive Delays Hit Toronto Pearson, Newark, LaGuardia, Chicago, and Tampa Airports as Winter Storm Devin and High Winds Disrupt Travel – What’s Causing the Chaos? appeared first on Travel and Tour World