MEXICO CITY (AP) — A freak spring hailstorm has caused havoc for thousands of people trying to leaving Mexico City for Easter weekend.

The heavy storm hit Wednesday evening on the mountain pass west of Mexico City, halting all movement on the main highways toward cities such as Toluca, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.

Thousands of people spent the night trapped in their cars before officials finally opened the road after dawn on Thursday. Many missed flights from Toluca's international airport.