News Summary
Severe thunderstorms have caused ground stops and significant flight delays at both Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and Orlando International Airport. The FAA implemented these ground stops due to hazardous weather conditions affecting several air traffic control centers. Travelers should expect delays and potential cancellations and are advised to check with airlines for real-time updates. Other Florida airports are also facing disruptions as the storm system impacts air travel across the state.
Orlando, FL – Flights to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Orlando International Airport (MCO) were grounded on July 6, 2025, due to severe thunderstorms impacting the region. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented ground stops at both airports, leading to significant delays for travelers.
The ground stop at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International began at 12:33 PM EDT and is initially set to last until 2:00 PM EDT, although there is a medium probability of extension. Departures from Fort Lauderdale are currently delayed by an average of 30 minutes, and this delay is expected to increase as conditions worsen. Similarly, Orlando International Airport is under a ground stop from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT, also with a medium likelihood of extension.
The FAA has indicated that these ground stops and delays are affecting departures from several air traffic control centers including ZTL, ZDC, ZHU, ZJX, ZFW, ZMA, and ZME for Fort Lauderdale, and ZJX and ZTL for Orlando. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates, as the situation with thunderstorms could lead to prolonged delays and potential cancellations.
The severe thunderstorms in the area are causing hazardous weather conditions, prompting the FAA’s action to ground flights. In anticipation of increasing disruptions, passengers are encouraged to allow for extra travel time, as ripple effects from delays at both airports could affect flights throughout the day.
Previous ground stops had already been enacted at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International due to similar weather concerns. Current forecasts from the Weather Channel suggest a 30% chance of rain in Orlando, yet sporadically severe thunderstorms continue to pose a threat to air travel.
As the day progresses, the situation has evolved. A later update confirmed that Orlando International Airport lifted its ground stop at 8 PM after the severe thunderstorms passed through. Furthermore, the FAA lifted an earlier notice regarding delays for outbound flights from Orlando at 9:30 PM that same evening.
Flight delays are not confined to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. Other airports in Florida, including Tampa International, Sarasota Bradenton International, Southwest Florida International, Palm Beach International, and Miami International, are also experiencing disruptions due to these adverse weather conditions.
Travelers are urged to remain vigilant and continuously check with their airlines for real-time updates on flight status, delays, and cancellations as thunderstorms may continue to impact flight schedules beyond the initial grounding periods.
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Additional Resources
- WDWNT: FAA Announces Flights to Orlando are Delayed Due to Severe Weather
- WFTV: Flights are Grounded at Orlando International Airport Due to Weather Delays
- Newsweek: Memorial Day Travel Chaos – Hundreds of Flights Grounded Due to Severe Weather
- Wikipedia: Severe Thunderstorm
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
