The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed ground stops at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport, and initiated a ground delay program at Newark Liberty International Airport on November 13, 2026, amid severe thunderstorms across the New York metropolitan area.
The ground stop at LaGuardia Airport began at 1:27 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) and was initially expected to last until 3:45 p.m. LaGuardia simultaneously had a ground delay program in effect from 1:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., causing arriving flights to face an average delay of 63 minutes. Newark Liberty International started its ground delay program
at 2:37 p.m., resulting in average arrival delays of 137 minutes. At JFK, the ground stop commenced at 2:49 p.m. with an anticipated end time of 3:45 p.m., but the FAA estimated a 30% to 60% chance the restriction would extend.
FlightAware data taken at specific times during the afternoon documented widespread disruption. At LaGuardia, around 1:31 p.m., there were 215 delayed flights and 10 cancellations. Newark reported 131 delays and six cancellations as of about 2:24 p.m., while JFK experienced 239 delays and 24 cancellations as of approximately 3:16 p.m. These figures reflect the scale of delays and cancellations
at the three primary New York airports during the thunderstorms.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms produced significant weather disturbances over the New York metropolitan region. A flood advisory remained active until 1:45 p.m. ET for Newark and adjacent areas, contributing to minor flooding in low-lying zones. The National Weather Service forecast extended rainfall into Friday across the region, with possible minor coastal flooding. These weather conditions severely affected flight operations at the airports.
The FAA differentiates between ground stops and ground delay programs. Ground stops hold flights on the ground until restrictions lift, pausing departures completely. Ground delay programs stagger departures
to regulate arrivals, preventing terminal congestion. Both control measures reached flights originating outside the New York metro area, illustrating how localized weather disruptions at congested hubs impact the broader air traffic network.
On November 13, 2026, nationwide flight disruptions reached over 1,300 delays and 268 cancellations. The layered FAA restrictions at LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark represent localized causes of these wider delays affecting flights across the United States.
The FAA continues to monitor weather conditions across the Northeast and indicated that additional air traffic restrictions may be implemented as the storm system moves through the region.
Passengers departing or arriving
at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark encountered extensive delays and cancellations due to these FAA-imposed restrictions. Newark arrivals faced the worst average delays at 137 minutes, while LaGuardia arrivals saw average delays of 63 minutes. Flight cancellations also affected schedules at all three airports, amplifying travel disruptions during the ongoing severe weather event.
