The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented ground stops at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway Airport on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in response to severe storms impacting the Chicago metropolitan area. The ground stop for flights headed to O’Hare is in effect until 11:15 a.m. Central Time and may be extended. Midway Airport’s ground stop is expected to last until at least 11:30 a.m. CT. Following the ground stop, a ground delay program will operate at O’Hare until 10 p.m. CT.
Severe Storms Disrupt Chicago Airspace
An intense line of storms moved across Illinois and Indiana on August 11, bringing damaging wind gusts up
to 100 mph, brief tornadoes, and heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported downed trees, power lines, and issued flood warnings across the Chicago area. During the storm, the Chicago Department of Aviation confirmed the control tower at Midway Airport was briefly evacuated as a precaution.
Flight Delays and Operational Impact
Passengers traveling to or from O’Hare and Midway airports should expect significant disruptions due to the FAA’s ground stops. Flights destined for O’Hare are held on the ground until at least 11:15 a.m. CT, with the potential for that hold to be extended as weather conditions persist. Midway’s ground stop will last until
at least 11:30 a.m. CT. After the cessation of the ground stop at O’Hare, the ground delay program will continue managing arrivals and departures through the evening until 10 p.m. CT. Travelers are advised to anticipate delays and monitor official updates during this period.
Historical Context of Weather-Related Delays at O’Hare
Chicago O’Hare International Airport frequently experiences weather-related disruptions, particularly during large storm events coinciding with high traffic volumes. On July 27, 2026, thunderstorms led to more than 1,000 flight cancellations at O’Hare. The FAA reported an average delay of 438 minutes during the ground delay program on that day. Weather-related ground stops have also affected other
major U.S. hubs including Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Baltimore/Washington International airports in recent weeks.
According to FAA data, Chicago, alongside New York City airports and Las Vegas, is among the U.S. airports with the highest frequency of weather-related delays. In 2022, O’Hare recorded over 5,000 delays exceeding 15 minutes caused by adverse weather conditions.
Official Responses from FAA and Chicago Department of Aviation
The FAA announced the ground stops at O’Hare and Midway on August 11, citing the hazardous weather with severe thunderstorms and high winds as the cause. The agency indicated that the ground stop at O’Hare could be extended depending on storm activity.
The Chicago Department of Aviation confirmed the brief evacuation of Midway’s control tower during the storms but provided no further operational details.
