The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed ground stops at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport on August 9, 2026, due to severe weather conditions. The ground stop at O’Hare started just before noon and ended shortly after 3 p.m., while Midway’s ground stop began just before 1 p.m. and lasted until 3:45 p.m.
Following the lift of the ground stop at O’Hare, the airport continued to experience significant delays averaging 100 minutes. Flights destined for Chicago were held at their original departure airports for the duration of the ground stops, affecting inbound traffic to both O’Hare and Midway. Departure
delays were also reported at O’Hare during the stoppage.
Passengers at both airports faced interruptions as flights were delayed on taxiways and at gates. The imposition of ground stops disrupted flight schedules across Chicago, delaying arrivals and departures throughout the afternoon.
The FAA’s measures aimed to regulate air traffic into Chicago airports amid adverse weather, controlling congestion and safety risks associated with ongoing severe conditions on August 9, 2026.
