Flight chaos at major airports across the northeast as severe weather triggers closures, delays and ground stops
A wave of severe weather is causing widespread flight disruptions across the Northeast on Thursday.
Planes are being grounded, runways closed, and cascading delays reported at major airports from Washington DC to Boston.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is temporarily closed to general aviation, with restrictions through 8pm ET. Commercial departures are averaging 45 minutes and rising due to thunderstorms and air traffic management.
At LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City, a ground delay program limits arrivals to 30 aircraft per hour through early Friday. Delays are averaging 95 minutes and some are exceeding three hours due to high winds and shifting runway configurations.
John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) reports average departure delays of 75 minutes as storms move through the region.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) sees roughly 30-minute departure delays, while Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) averages an hour due to intense thunderstorms.
The Washington DC area has been hit especially hard. A delay program at Reagan National Airport (DCA) is affecting all flights from across the continental US and Canada.
Arrivals are being metered at 26 aircraft per hour, with delays averaging 59 minutes and some stretching beyond two hours.
The disruptions come as a storm has blanketed much of the Northeast on Thursday, which should linger into Friday
Planes are being grounded, runways closed, and cascading delays reported at major airports from Washington DC to Boston
In the Northeast corridor, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) issued a ground stop for more than an hour Thursday morning, halting departures from multiple regions, including New York and Canadian airports such as Toronto and Montreal.
The airport reported average delays of 57 minutes and warned of a ‘medium probability’ of extension due to low cloud ceilings.
The FAA’s Command Center said weather remains the primary cause of the widespread disruptions, with ripple effects expected throughout the day as storms continue to move up the coast.
The disruptions come as a storm has blanketed much of the Northeast on Thursday, which should linger into Friday.
Locals woke up to light rain, but forecasters warned it could intensify to a heavy downpour.
Storms are expected to hit mainly from mid-afternoon into early evening, tapering off by Thursday night as drier conditions move in.
Most areas can expect one to three inches of rain throughout the day, falling gradually, so flash flooding is unlikely.
Storm Team 4 for NBC New York said heavy downpours on Thursday afternoon may cause ponding and minor roadway flooding, creating hazardous driving conditions.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Newark Liberty International Airport (pictured) is temporarily closed to general aviation, with restrictions through 8pm ET (STOCK)
Strong east winds are also expected, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph inland and up to 50 mph along the coast.
Bad weather is hitting other parts of the US, leading to more flight disruptions.
Departures to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are experiencing average delays of 32 minutes, from 11:15am to 3:59pm, caused by low cloud ceilings.
The delay affects all US flights within 1,200 nautical miles, including departures from Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), and Vancouver (YVR).
All impacted flights have been assigned expected departure clearance times (EDCTs).
