The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has upheld a ground stop at Newark Airport through at least 6:00pm local time on August 7, 2026, due to ongoing severe thunderstorms impacting the tri-state region. A separate ground stop remains active at LaGuardia Airport until 5:15pm local time. Both airports have implemented Traffic Management Programs resulting in major flight delays.
At Newark Airport, incoming flights face average arrival delays of 2 hours and 18 minutes, with departing flights experiencing similar delays. Departure hold times range between 2 hours and 1 minute to 2 hours and 15 minutes and are increasing, mainly due to
extended gate holds and taxi times. LaGuardia Airport reports average arrival delays of 57 minutes while departure delays run between 2 hours and 31 minutes to 2 hours and 45 minutes, also increasing with gate and taxi hold times. John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) had lifted its ground stop but still experiences significant delays, averaging 5 hours and 46 minutes for both arrivals and departures under an active Traffic Management Program.
The National Weather Service issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch number 540, effective until 9:00pm EDT on August 7, 2026, covering parts of Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. The counties
under this watch include Fairfield in Connecticut; Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union in New Jersey; and Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, and Westchester in New York.
Severe thunderstorms forecasted and occurring throughout the evening have forced the FAA to impose ground stops and Traffic Management Programs at Newark and LaGuardia airports. The weather disruptions coincide with Super El Niño conditions contributing to storm activity across the northeastern U.S.
Passengers at Newark Airport are encountering significant delays with departures and arrivals averaged over two hours and possibly increasing as the ground stop remains in place.
LaGuardia Airport flights face delays of nearly three hours during the ongoing ground stop. JFK travelers continue to experience extended delays averaging nearly six hours despite the lifted ground stop. Arrival airborne delays at the three airports are minimal at 15 minutes or less, but gate hold and taxi times have significantly increased.
The FAA confirmed Traffic Management Programs remain active at Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports due to severe weather causing the delays. LaGuardia Airport’s official update via its X social media account advised travelers that weather conditions have disrupted flights and recommended checking with airlines for status updates.
