The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a ground stop at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on July 12, 2026, because of thunderstorms affecting the area. The initial ground stop was set until 2:30 p.m., extended to 4 p.m., and then allowed to expire. A second ground stop was issued later that evening from 8:10 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Flight Delays Reach Over 900 Amid Ground Stop
As of about 1 p.m. on July 12, more than 900 flights experienced delays at the airport. The average delay lasted approximately 40 minutes, with some flights delayed up to 75 minutes. These delays were a direct result of the FAA’s ground stop impacting
inbound and outbound traffic.
Severe Weather Watches and Warnings Across Georgia
Thunderstorms prompted the FAA’s action and led to severe thunderstorm warnings issued for Habersham County until 6:15 p.m., and for Morgan, Newton, Oconee, and Walton Counties until 4:45 p.m. Additionally, a severe thunderstorm watch was in effect until 9 p.m. for eastern Georgia counties including Baker, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, and Worth.
Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Eboni Deon forecasted a possibility of scattered or isolated severe storms on Sunday afternoon, indicating ongoing volatile weather conditions across the region.
The FAA noted a 30 to 60% chance that the ground stop might be extended depending on weather developments.
The severe weather and related air traffic restrictions significantly disrupted flight operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on July 12.
