On Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration imposed a ground stop on flights headed to O'Hare International Airport beginning at 1:53 p.m. The action was taken because thunderstorms were moving through the Chicago area, and the stop was set to remain in effect until 3:15 p.m., with the possibility of being extended.
The FAA issued the directive to protect aircraft and crew as the weather approached the airport. Under the ground stop, all outbound flights were required to remain on the ground until the thunderstorm threat diminished, preventing takeoffs during the hazardous conditions.
The restriction started at 1:53 p.m., and a later update at 2:45 p.m. indicated that flights operating from Midway Airport were still proceeding without interruption. The agency continued to monitor the situation and indicated that the end time could be pushed beyond 3:15 p.m. if the storms persisted.
Passengers with scheduled departures from O'Hare during the affected window were informed of the delay, and airlines began to hold aircraft or adjust schedules accordingly. The ground stop applied only to O'Hare; no comparable restrictions were reported for other Chicago-area airports.
The FAA said the stop would be lifted once the thunderstorms moved out of the immediate vicinity of O'Hare. Travelers were advised to stay in contact with their airlines for the latest departure information.