> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thecontrail.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Winds Grounded Flights at All Three NYC Airports. Delays Are Lingering - URL: https://www.thecontrail.org/nyc-airport-delays-today-wind-ground-stop/ - Published: 2026-10-17T19:56:26.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-17T22:38:17.000Z - Description: Gusts near 40 mph forced the FAA to stop flights to JFK, LaGuardia and Newark on Saturday afternoon. All three are moving again, but departures are still running late, and Newark’s controller shortage is adding to the wait. - Author: Zach Benitez - Tags: News, Breaking News ****Update, 6:35 p.m. ET:** The FAA has lifted all three wind ground stops, including JFK’s. Departures are still running late, about an hour at LaGuardia and 30 minutes at Newark, where separate delays from the controller shortage, averaging more than an hour, continue until midnight. The Federal Aviation Administration stopped flights headed to all three New York airports because of strong winds. Ground stops went into effect at JFK at 3:20 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, October 17, followed by Newark at 3:29 p.m. and LaGuardia at 3:33 p.m. All three were first set to run until 4:30 p.m. A ground stop means planes bound for an airport aren't allowed to take off from wherever they're starting. That’s why flights to New York sat at their departure gates this afternoon rather than circling over the city. Ground Stops · New York ### All Three Airports Are Moving Again JFK Stop lifted LaGuardia Stop lifted, departures about an hour late Newark Stop lifted, delays over an hour Strongest gusts About 37 mph at Newark 3:20 p.m. Wind ground stops begin at JFK, then Newark and LaGuardia. Times are Eastern. By 4:30 p.m. LaGuardia and Newark stops lifted. JFK's is extended. By 6:30 p.m. JFK's stop is lifted. Departures from LaGuardia and Newark are still running late. Until midnight Newark's controller-shortage delays continue, averaging more than an hour. Contrail --- ## The Wind Gusty north winds have been sweeping the region all afternoon. Newark's weather report at 2:51 p.m. showed gusts of about 37 mph, with a peak near 38 mph just before that. JFK reported gusts around 30 mph and LaGuardia around 23 mph. Strong winds can force airports to use fewer runways or space planes farther apart, which means fewer flights can land each hour. The FAA also flagged severe turbulence along routes into Newark, and arriving flights there were running about 15 minutes late and climbing. --- ## Newark's Second Problem Newark was already having a rough day. The FAA put it under a delay program starting at 4 p.m. because it's [short on air traffic controllers](https://www.thecontrail.org/newark-airport-delays-today-staffing/) for the second day in a row, with delays averaging more than an hour. The wind stop has been lifted, but the staffing delays remain, so Newark flyers should still expect the longest waits tonight. --- ## What to Do if You're Flying - **Check your airline's app** before heading to the airport, since ground stops can be extended or lifted on short notice. - **If you're connecting through New York,** look at later connections now in case your first flight leaves late. - **Track your inbound plane.** Your flight can't leave on time if the plane flying it is stuck somewhere else.