The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforced ground stops at LaGuardia Airport beginning at 1:27 p.m. ET and John F. Kennedy International Airport starting at 2:49 p.m. ET on November 12, 2026, due to thunderstorms affecting the New York metropolitan area. The ground stops were initially scheduled to remain in effect until 3:45 p.m. ET, with a 30% to 60% probability of extension. Concurrently, LaGuardia operated a ground delay program from 1 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. ET, while Newark Liberty International Airport implemented its own ground delay program at 2:37 p.m. ET to manage arriving traffic amid the weather disruptions.
FlightAware
data reported significant operational impacts during the afternoon, with LaGuardia experiencing 215 delayed flights and 10 cancellations as of approximately 1:31 p.m. ET. Newark recorded 131 delays and six cancellations by 2:24 p.m., while JFK had 239 delays and 24 cancellations by 3:16 p.m. These figures reflect active disruption patterns caused by the FAA restrictions combined with adverse weather conditions.
Weather and Flood Advisories Affect New York Metropolitan Airports
Heavy rain associated with thunderstorms triggered a flood advisory effective through 1:45 p.m. ET for low-lying areas including Newark, where minor flooding was reported. The National Weather Service forecasted ongoing, prolonged rainfall extending into November 13 across the wider New
York metropolitan region, with minor coastal flooding potential at specific locations. These weather conditions directly contributed to FAA’s coordination of air traffic flow control measures at the three major airport hubs in the region.
Ground Stops vs. Ground Delay Programs: Operational Impact
The FAA’s deployment of ground stops at LaGuardia and JFK involved holding inbound flights on the tarmac until restrictions were lifted, effectively freezing arrivals to reduce congestion. In contrast, the ground delay programs at LaGuardia and Newark scheduled outbound flights to stagger arrivals and manage terminal capacity. Such layered flow control tools affected inbound routes from airports well outside the New York area, causing widely dispersed
operational delays and cancellations on November 12.
Average arrival delays at LaGuardia under the ground delay program reached 63 minutes, while Newark’s delays were more severe, averaging 137 minutes, reflecting the impact of heavier weather disruption at Newark’s approach. For operators in the congested New York airspace, these restrictions required coordinated planning of arrival slots and alternate routing to navigate terminal constraints.
Wider Effects on Flight Networks and Business Aviation
The FAA’s restrictions at the New York airport complex not only delayed flights destined for those hubs but also cascaded through the national and international flight network, creating knock-on delays at airports beyond the metropolitan area. More than
500 delayed flights and 40 cancellations across LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark on November 12 disrupted schedules for numerous connecting flights. Business aviation faced compounded challenges as congested airspace and terminal capacity limits necessitated careful alignment of arrival and alternate plans.
FAA Monitoring and Potential for Additional Restrictions
The FAA continues to observe weather conditions across the Northeast as the storm system persists into November 13, 2026. In its advisories, the agency indicated that further air traffic restrictions, including potential extensions of existing ground stops at LaGuardia and JFK beyond the 3:45 p.m. ET target, remain possible. The ongoing rain and thunderstorms warrant heightened coordination among air traffic
control centers to manage demand across the region’s complex airport system.
