FAA daily air traffic report, August 26, 2025
Thunderstorms are the main driver of delays today in Central and South Florida, the Desert Southwest, and along the Rockies. The FAA also flags gusty winds for Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and a persistent marine layer at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which could prompt a late-morning delay program. Travelers should expect pop-up ground stops if storms intensify during bank times.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Storms and low clouds cluster delays at major hubs, risking missed connections.
- Travel impact: Ground stops or GDPs are possible for Orlando, Tampa, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Denver, and Salt Lake City.
- What's next: Afternoon convection expands west, with brief airspace closures possible for scheduled launch windows.
- BOS sees wind-driven flow management, while Phoenix remains storm-prone this afternoon.
Snapshot
The FAA's morning outlook points to Florida storms affecting Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA), plus afternoon buildups for Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Denver International Airport (DEN), Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Winds could slow operations at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). A marine layer persists at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), raising the risk of a late-morning ground delay program. Enroute, Gulf and oceanic routing may be constrained intermittently, and scheduled launch activity could trigger short airspace closures this afternoon and evening. Travelers should build extra connection time and consider earlier departures where possible.
Background
Summer convective patterns continue to drive irregular operations, especially across Florida and the Intermountain West. The FAA Command Center highlights a generally quiet Northeast morning, then a westward shift in thunderstorm activity through the afternoon. Where low ceilings sit over coastal California, the agency often uses ground delay programs to meter arrivals until cloud bases lift. When storms threaten high-volume hubs in Florida, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, or Nevada, Command Center tools range from departure holds to ground stops, then, if needed, arrival rate reductions with published delay programs. These actions ripple quickly through bank structures, so even clear-sky airports may see flow constraints when upstream hubs slow. Launch operations in Texas and California can require temporary airspace closures, which reroute overflights and occasionally pause departures nearby.
FAA daily air traffic report for August 26, 2025
Today's official FAA traveler summary calls out storms for Florida, Las Vegas, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix, wind at Boston, and low clouds at San Francisco.
Latest Developments
Florida storms, SFO marine layer, BOS winds
The FAA plans note potential ground stops or delay programs at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) after about 900 a.m. Central. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) could see a similar program after about 1000 a.m. Central if ceilings stay low. Wind could require flow adjustments at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) during peak pushes. Expect periodic reroutes around Florida cells, with arrival spacing widening during heavier downpours. If you are connecting through MCO or TPA, consider an earlier flight to protect your downline itinerary, and monitor airline alerts for revised departure times.
Rockies and Desert Southwest, afternoon convection
Thunderstorms build west through the day, with risks for Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) after about 100 p.m. Central, Denver International Airport (DEN) after about 200 p.m. Central, and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) after about 3:00 p.m. Central. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) also carries storm potential, which can prompt departure holds, miles-in-trail spacing, or short ground stops during outflow events. Expect capping, tunneling, and alternate arrival routes as Command Center balances flows across the western centers. If you are heading to mountain destinations with tight connections, allow extra buffer for weather-driven spacing.
Enroute constraints and spaceflight windows
The plan highlights scheduled maintenance on the Grand Turk radar from 700 a.m. to 400 p.m. Central, with four associated routes in effect and an Airspace Flow Program under evaluation. Gulf and oceanic route closures are possible through this evening. Launch windows today include Blue Origin NS-35 in West Texas from 630 a.m. to 230 p.m. Central, a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg in California from 145 p.m. to 314 p.m. Central, and Starship Flight-10 from Boca Chica, Texas from 630 p.m. to 834 p.m. Central, any of which can trigger short-notice airspace closures and tactical reroutes.
Analysis
Today's pattern is classic late-August. Florida's morning convection and sea-breeze collisions tend to peak into the midday push, so MCO and TPA are most vulnerable during turn banks. If storms train along arrival gates, look for miles-in-trail to expand and GDP parameters to tighten. SFO's marine layer often erodes by early afternoon in summer, but if ceilings linger and runway acceptance rates stay low, the delay program can spill into midafternoon departures. BOS wind shifts are typically manageable, although runway configuration changes can add taxi delays and small arrival spikes.
Out West, monsoon-style buildups and outflow winds make LAS and PHX volatile between bank periods. DEN and SLC can flip quickly from VMC to flow-restricted during pulse storms over the Front Range, so keep an eye on rolling gate holds. The launch windows are the wild card, since TFRs or mission-support blocks can force detours that add a few minutes to cruise times. None of this is unusual for late August, but the overlap of Florida storms, a stubborn SFO marine layer, and afternoon mountain convection increases the odds of missed connections. If your itinerary relies on a single tight bank, move earlier, travel with carry-on only, and enable airline push alerts.
Final Thoughts
If you must connect through Florida, Denver, or Salt Lake City during peak hours, build in a cushion. San Francisco's low clouds can also stretch delays past lunch if ceilings stay down. Out West, treat thunderstorm-driven holds as normal today, not exceptional. Launch-related airspace closures, while brief, may add a few minutes to cruise times on impacted routes. For a sense of cadence, compare today's plan with yesterday's patterns, and rebook earlier if your downline connection is under 60 minutes. This service-day rhythm is the essence of the FAA daily air traffic report.