Weather news
4 hr 22 min nationwide ground stop halted U.S. departures Friday, Nov. 13
By Ryan Hall, Y'all Weather Desk ยท Published
Written by our automated news desk from National Weather Service data.
Key points
- Where: Airports across the lower 48.
- When: 3:53 PM ET to about 8:15 PM ET Friday, Nov. 13.
- What: A telecommunications failure at the FAA. CBS News, citing multiple sources, reports a failed update to the L3Harris-run FAA telecom network. The FAA and L3Harris have not confirmed that.
- What it means: Southwest and JetBlue canceled the rest of Friday. JetBlue also canceled some Saturday flights, per Reuters.
- Weather: Not the cause. No severe storms are expected Friday or Saturday.
A nationwide FAA ground stop halted departures across the lower 48 from 3:53 PM ET to about 8:15 PM ET Friday, Nov. 13, a span of 4 hours and 22 minutes. We estimate about 633,000 travelers were grounded, and it is the longest nationwide stop since 9/11 as far as we can find.
Flights are restarting now. If you're flying tonight or Saturday, Nov. 14, check your airline app before you leave for the airport.
What happened Friday afternoon
A notice came at 3:44 PM ET saying Boston Center had reported telecom issues. The nationwide stop followed at 3:53 PM ET. At 5:04 PM ET the FAA described a "temporary telecommunications outage." The stop was canceled at about 8:15 PM ET.
Our traveler estimate comes from flight tracking. There were 5,758 fewer U.S. passenger departures from 3:53 to 8:15 PM ET than in the same window last Friday. That works out to about 633,000 travelers who didn't get where they were going on schedule. It is an estimate, not an airline count.
How empty the sky got
Planes over the lower 48 dropped from 4,266 at 4:08 PM ET to a low of 336 at 8:18 PM ET. That count includes every aircraft OpenSky tracks, not just airliners. Flights began restarting after the stop was canceled.
What caused it, and what we don't know
CBS News reports a failed update to the L3Harris-run FAA telecom network, and the Wall Street Journal ties the problem to the same network. Neither the FAA nor L3Harris has confirmed that, so treat it as reported, not final.
The FBI and DHS have said there is no sign of an attack.
What to do
- Check your airline app or text alerts before you head to the airport tonight or Saturday. Southwest and JetBlue already canceled the rest of Friday.
- If you fly JetBlue Saturday, look for your flight first, since some Saturday flights are canceled.
- Our airport delay outlook covers the weather side of your trip.
- Keep your charger and a snack in your carry-on.
Weather did not cause the ground stop
No severe storms are expected Friday or Saturday. Saturday brings a Level 1 of 4 (Marginal) flash flood risk over parts of Texas and Washington state. In Washington, the Olympic Peninsula could pick up another 1 to 3 inches of rain. In Texas, storms push through the north-central part of the state Saturday night.
Sunday, Nov. 15, brings a Level 1 of 5 (Marginal) severe storm risk along the Texas coast, including Houston, Corpus Christi and Brownsville. A Level 1 of 4 (Marginal) flash flood risk also covers parts of Texas and Louisiana. See the flash flood outlook if you're traveling in those areas.
Out West, a Winter Storm Warning runs until 10 AM PST Saturday around Lake Tahoe and in Mono County. Up to 20 inches of snow are possible along the Sierra crest west of Lake Tahoe, with gusts of 45 to 55 mph in the Truckee and Lake Tahoe communities. Our interstate outlook and the live warnings page have the latest.
Bottom line
The sky is reopening after a 4 hour, 22 minute nationwide ground stop that grounded about 633,000 travelers, and the specific cause is still unconfirmed. Check your flight before you go, because JetBlue has canceled some Saturday flights.
| Time (ET) | Aircraft | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4:08 PM ET | 4,266 | Shortly after the stop began at 3:53 PM ET |
| 8:18 PM ET | 336 aircraft (OpenSky, all aircraft) | Low point, just after the stop ended at about 8:15 PM ET |
Places in this story: Boston, MA
https://ryanhallyall.com/news/4-hr-22-min-nationwide-ground-stop-halted-us-departures-friday-nov-13