Published on : 13 Nov 2026
Thunderstorms, flash flooding and a tornado warning near Kennedy Airport forced the FAA to halt flights at New York’s three major airports on Thursday afternoon, November 12, while Boston and Philadelphia also faced traffic restrictions as a coastal storm swept the Northeast. Rain was forecast to continue into Friday, so check conditions before you fly today.
The FAA issued a ground stop at LaGuardia from 1:27pm Eastern and later at JFK, and put Newark under a ground delay program that began at 2:37pm, with departures to Newark averaging delays of 137 minutes. Newark later went into a ground stop of its own, briefly lifted and then reissued through at least 4:30pm. LaGuardia and JFK ground stops were lifted by about 3:50pm but could be reissued as more storms arrive.
A ground stop holds flights at their departure airport and does not by itself mean flights are cancelled, but delays can run on into the evening and into the next day. Here is what happened on Thursday, what the data shows and what you can do if you’re flying today, Friday, November 13.
Published: November 13, 2026 — Friday Event day: Thursday, November 12, 2026 Cause: A coastal storm bringing thunderstorms, flash flooding and, near JFK, a tornado warning in Queens; low cloud ceilings at Boston New York: Ground stops at LaGuardia (from 1:27pm ET) and JFK; Newark under a ground delay program from 2:37pm with average delays of 137 minutes, then a ground stop through at least 4:30pm Philadelphia: A ground stop was reported with an estimated end of 3:15pm; Tornado Watch 705 covered Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties and several New Jersey counties until 7pm ET Boston: Arrival restrictions linked to low cloud ceilings, with delays averaging around 80 minutes in reports LaGuardia: Delays averaging about 63 minutes, according to reports on the FAA program Lifted: LaGuardia and JFK ground stops had been lifted by about 3:50pm, but could be reissued Friday outlook: More rain was forecast into Friday, which could bring further restrictions across the Northeast; check the FAA status page before you leave Rights: Weather doesn’t trigger cash compensation, but you are owed a refund if your flight is cancelled and you choose not to travel Best live source: The FAA’s National Airspace System status page, plus FlightAware and your airline’s app
| Airport | FAA Action | Details | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaGuardia (LGA) | Ground stop from 1:27pm ET; ground delay program from 1pm | Initially set to run to 3:45pm with a 30–60% chance of extension; lifted by about 3:50pm; delays averaging about 63 minutes | Thunderstorms |
| JFK | Ground stop | Departures held during a tornado warning for Queens; lifted by about 3:50pm; one report put average delays above three hours earlier in the afternoon | Thunderstorms and tornado warning |
| Newark (EWR) | Ground delay program from 2:37pm, then ground stop | Average delay 137 minutes; ground stop briefly lifted then reissued through at least 4:30pm | Thunderstorms |
| Philadelphia (PHL) | Ground stop reported | Estimated end 3:15pm; Tornado Watch 705 until 7pm | Thunderstorms and tornado watch |
| Boston Logan (BOS) | Ground delay program / arrival restrictions | Average delay around 80 minutes in reports | Low cloud ceilings |
Conditions change by the minute. Check the FAA’s NAS status page for the current picture.
FlightAware data, taken as separate afternoon snapshots, showed:
| Airport | Time (ET) | Delays | Cancellations |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaGuardia | About 1:31pm | 215 | 10 |
| Newark | About 2:24pm | 131 | 6 |
| JFK | About 3:16pm | 239 | 24 |
Source: FlightAware snapshots as reported on November 12. These are point-in-time counts, so check FlightAware for the latest figures.
A coastal storm brought heavy rain and thunderstorms across the New York area, with a tornado warning for Queens near Kennedy Airport that prompted the FAA to halt departures and arrivals. Flash flooding added to travel problems on roads.
Boston’s restrictions were different: they were tied to low cloud ceilings, not thunderstorms. In Philadelphia, the National Weather Service issued Tornado Watch 705, which means conditions are favourable for severe storms, damaging winds, large hail and possible tornadoes — not that a tornado has been confirmed. When these airports back up, delays spread to connecting flights across the country, which is why travellers far from the Northeast may still be affected.
| Situation | What US Rules Say | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Flight cancelled | If you decide not to travel on the rebooked option, the airline must refund your ticket — weather doesn’t remove that right | Ask for a refund to the original payment method |
| Delay caused by weather | No federal cash compensation for delays | Ask about rebooking on the next available flight |
| Stranded overnight | Hotels and meals depend on the airline’s own customer-service commitments | Check your airline’s policy and keep every receipt |
| Missed connection | Airlines generally rebook you on the same ticket | Speak to the airline before buying a new ticket |
| Waivers | Airlines often offer free changes for storm-affected flights | Check your airline’s travel alert page |
| Travel insurance | Some policies cover delay expenses and missed connections | Read your policy and keep evidence |
General guidance, not legal advice.
The storm was expected to move out, but the forecast called for rain into Friday, which could bring further ground stops across the Northeast. We’ll update this article with the latest FAA restrictions and FlightAware totals for Thursday and today.
Posted By : Vinay
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on information available at the time of publication. Travel advisories, airline schedules, airport operations, visa requirements, government regulations, and other travel-related information are subject to change without prior notice. While Travel Tourister makes reasonable efforts to verify information using official announcements, government publications, airline and airport communications, and other reliable sources, we cannot guarantee that all information remains complete, accurate, or up to date at all times. Readers should independently verify any information that may affect their travel plans with the relevant airline, airport authority, government agency, embassy, or other official source before making travel, financial, or other decisions. Travel Tourister shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss, inconvenience, or damages arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article. Nothing in this publication constitutes legal, immigration, financial, or professional travel advice. If you believe any information in this article is inaccurate or outdated, please contact our editorial team. We review all credible correction requests promptly and update our content whenever appropriate.
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