San Francisco International Airport (SFO) was affected by multiple Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ground stops on November 9, 2026, as dense fog and low clouds disrupted flight operations.
Flight Delays and Cancellations Reported
By 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time, the FAA reported 187 delayed flights and three cancellations at San Francisco Airport. These figures reflect flights that were arriving or departing SFO during the morning hours when visibility was severely reduced.
FAA Traffic Management Actions
The FAA initiated the first ground stop shortly before 8 a.m. Pacific Time, temporarily holding departures bound for San Francisco. This initial restriction lifted around 9:15 a.m., though a ground delay program to manage inbound
traffic continued. Additional ground stops were implemented around 10:28 a.m. and shortly before noon, further restricting departures from other U.S. airports destined for SFO to prevent congestion.
Weather Conditions and Visibility Impact
Flight disruptions were caused by dense fog and low cloud ceilings that significantly reduced visibility at San Francisco International Airport. Around 8 a.m., visibility dropped to approximately 0.13 miles, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory for the San Francisco Bay area and shoreline, with visibility warnings as low as a quarter of a mile. Low ceilings required increased spacing between aircraft, limiting airport capacity
and delaying flight operations.
Travel Impact and Operational Context
Passengers experienced delays on flights arriving at and departing from San Francisco. Flights originating from other U.S. airports heading to SFO were also held on the ground due to FAA ground stops. While these measures delayed many flights, the FAA clarified that ground stops are temporary traffic management tools and do not signify an airport closure. The controls aim to reduce airspace congestion during periods of low visibility.
