On Monday, July 13, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed weather-related ground stops at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). The ground stop at IAH began shortly after 11:20 a.m. and lasted until 12:45 p.m., causing average departure delays of approximately 45 minutes. HOU implemented a ground stop just before 11:30 a.m., which continued until 1:00 p.m., during which average flight delays increased sharply from 12 to 49 minutes.
Flight tracking data from FlightAware ranked George Bush Intercontinental Airport third nationally for flight disruptions on the day, recording 54 delayed or cancelled flights.
William P. Hobby Airport ranked among the top ten airports with 24 flight disruptions. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport experienced the highest number of disruptions nationwide, with 132 delayed or cancelled flights reported on July 13, 2026.
Tropical Moisture and Stalled Front Cause Heavy Rain and Flooding
Severe weather in Southeast Texas on July 13 was driven by a combination of tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and a stalled northern front. This meteorological pattern resulted in heavy rainfall and widespread street flooding throughout the Houston metropolitan area. According to the National Weather Service, a deep tropical airmass engulfed the region, intensifying storm activity and elevating rainfall volumes.
Cumulative rainfall
forecasts for the area called for 1 to 3 inches on July 13 and 14, 2026, with some localized areas potentially receiving up to 5 inches due to repetitive storm training. The prolonged downpours caused operational challenges at Houston’s airports, contributing to flight delays and ground stops.
Weather Service Maintains Flood Risk and Storm Alerts Through July 14
The National Weather Service issued a level 2 out of 4 risk for excessive rainfall across most of Southeast Texas on July 13 and July 14, 2026. In its forecast bulletin, the agency stated, “Greatest coverage of (thunderstorm) activity is expected during late morning through early evening hours.” The forecast further predicted a
short reduction in storm activity Monday night before another round on Tuesday morning.
Local flood alerts and a Storm Alert remained active through July 14, an extension announced by Houston-area news outlet FOX 26. The elevated risk for localized street flooding prompted caution for transportation within the region during and after the storm events.
Flight Delays Impact Travelers Amid Continued Storm Threats
Travelers at Houston’s major airports faced significant delays on July 13, with average flight wait times extending to 45 minutes at George Bush Intercontinental and 49 minutes at William P. Hobby Airport during the FAA-imposed ground stops. Flight disruptions totaled 54 delayed or cancelled departures at
IAH and 24 at HOU, complicating air travel schedules.
The ongoing severe weather and flood alerts through July 14 suggested potential continued impacts on regional transportation. The storms and associated delays followed national trends in flight disruption, with Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport topping the list of affected hubs. Federal agencies and local authorities monitored the situation as the region prepared for additional rainfall and storm activity into Tuesday.
