The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued two consecutive ground stops at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on November 12, 2026, due to dense fog that reduced runway visibility to just over one-tenth of a mile. The initial ground stop halted arrivals twice before 11 a.m. Pacific Time. A second ground stop started at 10:12 a.m., originally set to end at 11:30 a.m., but was extended through 1 p.m. as visibility conditions persisted.
Flight Disruptions and Delay Statistics
FlightAware reported 187 delayed flights and three cancellations at SFO on the day, with arrival wait times averaging approximately 63 minutes. These delays resulted directly from the FAA’s
ground stop orders amid challenging weather conditions and multiple aborted landing attempts by aircraft.
Operational Restrictions During Low Visibility
During periods of reduced visibility, SFO was only able to accommodate aircraft equipped with Category II and Category III instrument landing systems. The FAA maintained a ground-delay program that extended until 1:59 p.m. after the ground stop period, allowing limited arrival operations as visibility improved to roughly one-half mile by 9:23 a.m., though low clouds continued to hamper full operational capacity.
Weather Conditions and Forecast
The dense fog covering the Bay Area shoreline created a low cloud deck and restricted visibility, forcing multiple flight go-arounds and the implementation of the
ground stops. According to the National Weather Service, additional fog and low clouds were anticipated overnight into November 13, 2026, with low ceilings and visibility projected to remain a constraint at SFO into the following day.
Impact on Passengers and Regional Flight Operations
The FAA’s halting of arrivals and subsequent ground-delay program caused considerable disruption at San Francisco International, affecting hundreds of flights through delays and cancellations. These operational interruptions also imposed ripple effects on regional flights diverted or rescheduled around SFO’s constrained capacity during fog events.
Recurring Fog and Its Effect on Airport Operations
San Francisco International Airport frequently experiences low-visibility fog, limiting the number of aircraft able to land safely. The FAA’s use
of ground stops and delay programs under such conditions routinely restricts flight throughput, demonstrating a persistent challenge for this major Bay Area gateway and the surrounding air traffic network.
