The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for flights arriving at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Friday evening, August 21, 2026, due to severe thunderstorms approaching the region. The ground stop was set to remain in effect through 6:30 p.m., with inbound flights held at their departure airports.
Departing flights from O’Hare experienced average delays of 45 minutes as storm-related weather disruptions caused operational challenges. These delays created backed-up taxiways and resulted in crowded gates throughout the airport, affecting both inbound and outbound traffic flow.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were active for several Chicago-area counties, while much of the broader
Chicago region was under a severe thunderstorm watch during the evening. These alerts reflected the hazardous weather conditions impacting the area’s air traffic operations.
The FAA planned to shift from the ground stop to a Ground Delay Program to manage arrivals more efficiently once the stoppage was lifted. The ground stop at O’Hare has since been removed, allowing flights to resume arrivals amid ongoing weather considerations.
