The Federal Aviation Administration imposed weather-related ground stops at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport on July 13, 2026. The ground stop at George Bush began shortly after 11:20 a.m. and lasted until 12:45 p.m., resulting in average flight delays of about 45 minutes. William P. Hobby Airport initiated its ground stop just before 11:30 a.m., which continued until 1:00 p.m., increasing average flight delays there to 49 minutes from a prior 12-minute average, according to flight tracking data reported by Readers.
Cause and Weather Forecast
Heavy storm activity across Southeast Texas on July 13 was driven by a combination
of tropical moisture from the Gulf and a stalled northern front. This weather pattern created a deep tropical airmass over the region, producing widespread street flooding and airport operational interruptions. The National Weather Service forecasted cumulative rainfall totals between 1 and 3 inches, with localized areas potentially receiving up to 5 inches. The agency stated, “Greatest coverage of (thunderstorm) activity is expected during late morning through early evening hours.” A temporary lull in storms was anticipated Monday night, with another storm round forecast for early Tuesday morning, July 14.
Flight Disruptions and National Rankings
FlightAware’s Misery Map ranked George Bush Intercontinental Airport third nationally for
flight disruptions on July 13, with 54 flights delayed or canceled during the storm-related ground stop. William P. Hobby Airport placed among the top ten airports nationally, reporting 24 affected flights. By comparison, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport experienced the highest disruption nationwide with 132 delayed or canceled flights on the same day.
Flood Alerts and Ongoing Risks
The Weather Prediction Center assigned a level 2 out of 4 risk for excessive rainfall across most of Southeast Texas extending through July 14, including the Houston metropolitan area and the Brazos Valley. FOX 26 extended flood alerts and localized street flooding warnings through July 14. The National
Weather Service forecast bulletin detailed that “a lull in activity is anticipated for Monday night with another round of activity set for Tuesday.” Local officials highlighted persistent flood risks impacting transportation infrastructure in the region.
Travelers at both Houston airports experienced substantial delays during the affected hours on July 13. The ground stops disrupted departure schedules during late morning and early afternoon. The severe weather event also impaired broader regional transportation, compounding travel challenges amid ongoing flood alerts issued through the next day.
