The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented ground stops at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport, and a ground delay program at Newark Liberty International Airport on November 12, 2026, in response to severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall affecting the New York metropolitan area. The ground stop at LaGuardia began at 1:27 p.m. ET and was initially set to end at 3:45 p.m. ET, with a 30% to 60% chance of extension. Simultaneously, LaGuardia was under a ground delay program from 1:00 p.m. ET until 11:59 p.m. ET, resulting in average departing flight delays of 63
minutes. Newark’s ground delay program started at 2:37 p.m. ET and caused average departure delays of 137 minutes. JFK’s ground stop started at 2:49 p.m. ET with the same initial expected end time of 3:45 p.m. ET.
Flight Delays and Cancellations Across New York Area Airports
FlightAware data snapshot reports indicate substantial flight disruptions during the November 12 afternoon. LaGuardia experienced 215 delayed flights and 10 cancellations as of 1:31 p.m. ET. Newark had 131 delayed flights and 6 cancellations as of 2:24 p.m. ET. JFK showed the highest numbers with 239 delays and 24 cancellations reported around 3:16 p.m. ET. These figures reflect the extensive impact of the
FAA’s air traffic restrictions on operations at the region’s three major airports.
Severe Weather Conditions Triggering Air Traffic Restrictions
The disruptions were caused by a line of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain sweeping through the New York metropolitan area on November 12. The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory effective until 1:45 p.m. ET for areas including Newark, citing minor flooding in low-lying locations. A tornado warning was also issued near JFK Airport in Queens. These weather events forced the FAA to impose ground stops and delay programs to manage airport arrivals and departures safely during the volatile atmospheric conditions.
Impacts on Flight Operations and Passenger Travel
The FAA’s ground stops at LaGuardia
and JFK required all inbound flights to hold on the ground until restrictions were lifted. Flights departing for these airports faced extended waiting times, with LaGuardia’s departures delayed on average by 63 minutes. Newark’s ground delay program caused even longer delays averaging 137 minutes, compounded by a brief ground stop that was lifted and then reissued to continue through at least 4:30 p.m. ET. The layered restrictions contributed to a substantial number of cancellations and created ripple effects across the broader flight network, affecting flights arriving from and departing to destinations outside the New York metropolitan area.
FAA and National Weather Service Monitoring and Forecast
The FAA is
continuously monitoring weather conditions across the Northeast United States and indicated that additional air traffic restrictions could be applied as the weather system progresses. The National Weather Service forecast prolonged rainfall extending into November 13, 2026, with potential for minor coastal flooding in some locations. A flood advisory around Newark remained active until 1:45 p.m. ET on November 12, underscoring ongoing concerns regarding localized water accumulation impacting road conditions and airport ground access.
Differences Between Ground Stops and Ground Delay Programs
Ground stops and ground delay programs operate differently but both affect airport traffic flow. Ground stops force flights destined for an airport to remain on the ground
until the restriction lifts, effectively pausing inbound traffic. Ground delay programs schedule departures to allow controlled arrivals that maintain manageable airport capacity. On November 12, LaGuardia was subject to both a ground stop affecting inbound flights and a ground delay program controlling departures for the entire evening. Newark’s higher average departure delay of 137 minutes illustrates the significant impact of the ground delay program supplemented by a temporary ground stop during the active thunderstorm period.
