Storms Bring Northeast Air Traffic to a Standstill

Severe weather in the Northeast resulted in thousands of delayed flights, hundreds of cancellations, and tens of thousands of late-arriving travelers late Friday.

The storms impacted airports from Washington, D.C. all the way to Boston. At 7:15 p.m., traffic to eight airports, including John F. Kennedy International, La Guardia, Newark Liberty International, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Washington Dulles International, and Logan International, was being delayed at its departure point.

As of 7:20 p.m., over 4,100 flights in the United States had been delayed, with over 350 cancellations, and the number of delays jumped roughly by 1,000 since 6:20 p.m.

The National Weather Service warned of a line of strong thunderstorms extending across New Jersey moving east. The storm was “moving at 35 mph with wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea-sized hail possible,” the agency said, adding that the storm was accompanied by “very heavy rainfall.”

A severe thunderstorm watch with wind gusts of up to 70 mph is in effect for New York City, Nassau County, and parts of New Jersey through 8 p.m.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)