On November 9, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented multiple ground stops at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) due to dense fog and low ceiling conditions, delaying 187 flights and cancelling three by 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
The first significant ground stop began just before 8 a.m. Pacific Time and ended around 9:15 a.m. Additional restrictions were recorded around 10:28 a.m. and shortly before noon. The FAA also introduced ground delay programs to regulate arrivals and maintain safety amid reduced visibility.
Fog and Low Clouds Reduce Visibility, Force Operational Restrictions
Dense fog and low cloud ceilings over the San Francisco Bay area substantially lowered visibility at SFO, with
readings dropping to approximately 0.13 miles near 8 a.m. The National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory, warning of visibility as low as a quarter mile along the bay shoreline.
These weather conditions required the FAA to apply low-visibility procedures, including increased spacing between aircraft, resulting in limited airport capacity. Despite surface visibility improving later in the morning, persistent low cloud ceilings continued to disrupt flight operations.
Flight Delays and Arrival Disruptions
Arriving flights experienced average delays of about 63 minutes during the fog-related restrictions. The FAA managed inbound traffic through ground delay programs aiming to prevent congestion in SFO’s airspace. As a result,
flights destined for San Francisco were either held on the ground prior to departure or delayed upon arrival.
Departure Restrictions at Other US Airports
The FAA’s ground stops extended beyond SFO itself by holding departures at other U.S. airports with flights scheduled for San Francisco. These measures aimed to reduce inbound traffic until visibility at SFO improved. Passengers on flights to San Francisco from other airports experienced delays caused by these FAA-imposed hold orders.
San Francisco’s Coastal Location and Fog Impact
San Francisco International Airport’s location along the bay makes it vulnerable to frequent fog and low cloud ceilings, which routinely impact flight operations. Low visibility requires the FAA to restrict movements to
maintain safety, imposing ground stops and delay programs that temporarily lower the airport’s capacity.
Ground stops serve as temporary air traffic controls rather than airport closures and adjust dynamically as weather conditions change. The FAA’s timely management on November 9 helped mitigate safety risks amid challenging visibility at SFO, according to official traffic management data reported by Rus Tourism News.
