The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued two consecutive ground stops at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on November 12, 2026, as dense fog reduced runway visibility to just over one-tenth of a mile. The low visibility forced multiple aircraft to abort landings, resulting in several flight go-arounds before 11 a.m. Pacific Time.
Ground Stop Timing and Flight Delays
The first ground stop was implemented before 11 a.m., followed by a second ground stop starting at 10:12 a.m. initially scheduled to end at 11:30 a.m. After brief visibility improvements, the FAA introduced a ground-delay program. Later operational updates extended the ground stop through 1 p.m. and maintained
the ground-delay program through 1:59 p.m. During these periods, SFO accepted only aircraft certified for Category II and Category III instrument approaches due to the fog and low cloud deck.
FlightAware reported 187 delayed flights and 3 cancellations at SFO on November 12, with average arrival delays near 63 minutes. Visibility improved to approximately half a mile by 9:23 a.m., but persistent low clouds continued to limit operations.
Weather Forecast and FAA Operational Plans
The National Weather Service forecasted ongoing fog and low cloud conditions overnight into November 10. The FAA’s operational plan for November 10 identified potential constraints at SFO related to low ceilings and
reduced visibility, including the possibility of ground stops or ground-delay programs after 8 a.m. However, an FAA airport status update at 1:17 a.m. on November 10 showed no destination-specific delays at SFO, with general arrival and departure delays limited to 15 minutes or less.
Impact on Flights at San Francisco International
Flight operations at SFO were significantly affected by the ground stops and low visibility conditions. Repeated flight go-arounds were necessary when pilots could not safely land due to fog. The imposed ground stops halted arrivals twice before 11 a.m. and extended into the early afternoon, disrupting both arriving and departing flight schedules at the airport.
FlightAware
data confirmed that these operational restrictions resulted in widespread delays, with hundreds of flights affected and several cancellations during the morning of November 12.
Recurring Fog Challenges at San Francisco International
Low-visibility fog is a regular operational challenge at San Francisco International Airport, particularly due to its proximity to the Bay Area shoreline. The combination of dense fog and low cloud decks frequently necessitates FAA ground stops and traffic management programs to maintain safety. These measures often cause delays that ripple across the Bay Area, impacting diverted and rescheduled flights at other regional airports.
