Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Severe thunderstorms have caused widespread flight cancellations and delays, affecting major American airports most severely. The FAA put ground stops in place at various major airports, resulting in severe disruptions that continue to affect travelers. Flights have been grounded at major airports including JFK International Airport, Newark Liberty Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and others.

Flights originating from major New York, Washington D.C., and Dallas/Fort Worth airports were grounded on July 8, 2025, by the FAA. The severe thunderstorms, which were also joined by lightning, strong rain, and low visibility, caused the FAA to issue ground stops to ensure that all flights were safe. As a result of ground stops, there have also been mass flight cancellations, which have contributed to the congestion at airports including JFK and LaGuardia.

Travelers are advised to check for updates on their flights as delays and cancellations could last through the night and into Wednesday. These disruptions are expected to continue as the storms move across the East Coast.

LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy, which are two of New York City’s busiest airports, were greatly disrupted by the adverse weather. Both airports experienced ground stops until 5:15 p.m., but later, things were worse, and there were cancellations and delays in flights. By 8 p.m., it had gotten worse, and travelers were stuck in their terminals for hours.

Passengers with flights scheduled at JFK and LaGuardia should expect long delays, with some waiting times exceeding an hour and a half. Those planning to travel through these airports are encouraged to stay updated and check for any changes to their flight status.

There have been flight cancellations all across the country, with over 7,000 flights cancelled throughout the United States by July 8 in the evening. Besides JFK and LaGuardia, other big airports such as Philadelphia International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Airport are also experiencing disruptions. There have also been more than 26,000 flight delays, which have caused severe travel congestion.

The FAA is still tracking the storm and has urged travelers to regularly check for updates. The mass disruption will continue to bring delays as the weather system passes throughout the nation.

Severe thunderstorms that have caused flight cancellations and delays will not clear anytime in the near future. Meteorologists are forecasting rain, lightning, and some flooding in regions that have already been touched. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. are all likely to see more disruptions courtesy of the storms.

Travelers are urged to remain flexible and keep checking their flight status for the latest information. Airlines are working to rebook passengers and issue travel waivers, but availability is limited during this peak travel period.

Flash flood warnings remain active in parts of Texas, including Austin and San Antonio, due to recent flooding in the area. With more storms expected to hit the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast, travelers should be prepared for more flight cancellations and delays.

Airports on East Coast states, including Georgia, Virginia, and the Carolinas, are also on high alert status due to more thunderstorms that are predicted to occur in the succeeding days. Travelers are advised to check weather situations regularly so that they will have current information about disruptions.

While the severe thunderstorms have caused significant flight cancellations and delays, the primary concern remains safety. Travelers are advised to stay updated on flight statuses and be prepared for further disruptions. Monitoring the weather and airport alerts is the best way to stay informed and minimize travel stress.

As the storms continue to move across the country, staying flexible and prepared is key to managing the ongoing travel disruptions.