San Francisco International Airport encountered several Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ground stops on November 9, 2026, prompted by dense fog that disrupted flight operations. The first major ground stop began shortly before 8 a.m. Pacific Time, pausing departures to San Francisco and lasting until about 9:15 a.m.
By 10:30 a.m., a total of 187 flights had been delayed and three cancelled, as the FAA implemented additional ground stops around 10:28 a.m. and just before noon. Ground delay programs continued in effect after lifting some of the ground stops, regulating incoming flights to limit congestion at San Francisco International Airport.
Fog Conditions and Weather Advisories
Fog
and low cloud cover caused visibility at San Francisco International Airport to drop to roughly 0.13 miles near 8 a.m. According to the National Weather Service, a dense fog advisory was issued for San Francisco and the surrounding bay shoreline. Although surface visibility improved as the morning progressed, persistent low clouds maintained restrictions on flight operations.
Impact on Air Traffic Management
The FAA enforced ground stops that temporarily held departures from other US airports destined for San Francisco to prevent excessive airspace congestion. Ground delay programs also managed arriving aircraft, which faced average delays of about 63 minutes during the disruptions. These measures reduced airport
capacity due to necessary increases in separation between aircraft and special low-visibility procedures.
Airport Location and Operational Challenges
San Francisco International Airport’s proximity to the bay makes it susceptible to coastal fog, often resulting in low visibility and ceiling conditions. These weather factors require flight adjustments that limit arrival and departure rates at the airport. On November 9, the combination of dense fog and low clouds significantly impacted air traffic throughput during peak morning hours.
Ground Stops Are Temporary Safety Measures
FAA ground stops represent temporary air traffic management interventions and do not indicate full airport closures. The restrictions on November 9 were intended to maintain safety in reduced visibility conditions.
The situation evolved throughout the day, with ground stops lifted and reimposed as weather conditions fluctuated, contributing to delays and cancellations for flights to and from San Francisco.
