FAA daily air traffic report, August 20, 2025
Low clouds in the Mid Atlantic and Pacific Northwest, plus afternoon thunderstorms from Texas to Florida, headline the FAA's plan for August 20, 2025. The Command Center outlines potential ground stops or delay programs at key hubs, and it is watching Atlantic tracks for closures tied to storm activity. A Northeast regional planning call and a Hurricane Erin coordination call are set early, with additional route measures likely as weather evolves. Travelers should verify status before leaving for the airport.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Pop up constraints can quickly ripple into missed connections and rolling delays.
- Travel impact: Ground stop or ground delay programs possible at multiple hubs, with reroutes across busy corridors.
- What's next: FAA planning updates follow the morning webinars, with initiatives added or canceled as storms move.
Snapshot
The FAA's morning operations plan notes lower ceilings and visibility for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), with low ceilings, visibility, and thunderstorms possible at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Thunderstorms are in play for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Central Florida, the Dallas area, and the Chicago TRACON. Planners are watching Atlantic tracks, with several oceanic routes already listed for closures during the morning window. A Northeast planning call at 700 a.m. CDT and a Hurricane Erin call at 730 a.m. CDT set the stage for mid morning updates. Expect miles in trail and escape routes where cells sit on arrival gates.
Background
When projected demand exceeds an airport's acceptance rate, the FAA meters arrivals with a Ground Delay Program, assigning Expect Departure Clearance Times to hold flights at origin. A Ground Stop is a sharper tool that pauses certain departures bound for an affected airport until capacity or safety conditions improve. Airspace Flow Programs and Severe Weather Avoidance Plans meter flows through constrained sectors, while Collaborative Trajectory Options help reroute traffic around storms or closed tracks. For a traveler friendly primer on how these tools work and where to check status, see Ground Delay Program: Evening Hotspots and Ground Stops.
Latest Developments
Programs possible at East Coast, Texas, and Seattle
The plan lists possible ground stops or delay programs beginning after these Central Time windows, subject to conditions: after 700 a.m. at DCA; after 900 a.m. at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL); after 1000 a.m. at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and SEA; after 1200 p.m. at PHL and at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA); after 100 p.m. at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS); after 300 p.m. at ATL; and after 4:00 p.m. at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Actual use will depend on ceiling lifts, storm timing, and terminal demand.
Storm belts and en route constraints to monitor
Thunderstorms appear across large swaths of the eastern and central centers, including New York, Washington, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Miami, Memphis, Houston, and Fort Worth. Expect route advisories, miles in trail, capping or tunneling, and regional and transcon reroutes as lines pulse. A Lake Erie play is possible late morning, with additional escape and SWAP structures for the New York and Philadelphia complex this afternoon. Florida corridors could see escape routes by early afternoon. Later windows add capping, transcon tunnels, and Gulf route adjustments if storms clip offshore fixes.
Runway and taxiway work, plus oceanic track closures
Ongoing surface work may constrain flexibility during configuration changes. Highlights include nightly closures of Runway 16C or 34C at SEA through this morning, PHL Runway 09R or 27L nightly through September 17, HOU Runway 13R or 31L through September 20, MSP Runway 12R or 30L through September 26, periodic runway or taxiway closures at LGA through September 30, east taxiway construction at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) through October 23, IAH Runway 08R or 26L through November 11, and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Taxiway Z rehabilitation through November 14. Several western Atlantic tracks, including L451 through L454, are listed closed during the morning, with additional Atlantic and Y route closures possible later today.
Analysis
Today's pattern is classic late summer. Morning stratus trims acceptance rates at coastal hubs, which tightens spacing during early banks and can trigger short metering programs. As the day warms, convective lines build over Texas and Florida, then arc into the Southeast and Mid Atlantic. When cells park on arrival gates, traffic managers layer on miles in trail, swap in escape routes, and, if needed, flip to a ground stop while configurations reset. The fork in the road for travelers is timing. A successful morning ceiling lift can unwind planned programs quickly, preserving connections. A stubborn deck or a late forming line will push arrival banks deeper into the day, which cascades into tight turns, crew timing challenges, and missed downline connections. Oceanic track issues add a long haul wrinkle, lengthening transatlantic flight times and bunching evening banks at JFK and other gateways. Build buffer into tight lays, monitor airline alerts, and be gate ready if you receive an EDCT.
Final Thoughts
Expect a fluid day with localized morning spacing, then wider convective impacts from midday into the evening. The FAA will update programs as ceilings lift and as storms pulse, so conditions can improve or worsen quickly. Check NAS Status, OIS program tables, and Advisories before you leave, then use your airline app for push alerts and connection protection. With a little timing slack, you can ride out today's constraints highlighted in this FAA daily air traffic report.