Last updated November 3, 2026 at 19:45 UTC. This page is updated in place as the situation changes, rather than published as a new article each time.
Severe thunderstorms moving through the Houston area have prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to issue ground stops at both of the city’s major airports: George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby (HOU). A ground stop means flights headed to those airports are being held at their departure cities until conditions improve.
During a ground stop, aircraft already in the air may be placed in holding patterns or diverted to other airports, while departures are delayed or canceled outright. Travelers at IAH and Hobby should expect significant delays, crowded terminals, and possible cancellations as the storms pass through. Because Houston is a major hub for United and Southwest Airlines, delays can ripple outward to other airports across the country, even where skies are clear.
Who is affected
Anyone flying into or out of Houston today, plus travelers whose flights connect through IAH or Hobby. Drivers picking up passengers should check flight status before heading to the airport, since arrival times will be shifting throughout the day.
What you can do
Check your flight status directly with your airline’s app or website before leaving for the airport – do not rely on departure boards alone. If your flight is canceled, rebook through the airline’s app rather than waiting in line at the counter, and ask about waivers, which airlines typically issue during weather events so you can change flights without fees. If you are driving in the Houston area, allow extra time and avoid flooded roads; thunderstorms in southeast Texas can produce heavy rain and brief street flooding quickly.
Ground stops are a routine safety measure during thunderstorms, since lightning, wind shear, and heavy rain make takeoffs and landings hazardous. They are lifted once conditions allow, though backlogs of delayed flights can take several hours to clear.
Ground stop and delay information comes from FAA air traffic data, with storm details from the National Weather Service (NWS) Houston/Galveston office.
Frequently Asked Questions
My flight goes through Houston but I'm not in Texas – could I still be delayed?
Yes. IAH is a major United hub and Hobby is a major Southwest base, so aircraft and crews stuck in Houston can delay flights in other cities. Check your flight status even if your local weather is fine.
How long will the ground stops last?
Ground stops are typically issued in 30- to 90-minute increments and lifted as storms move out of the area. However, even after they are lifted, expect residual delays of several hours while airlines work through the backlog.
If my flight is canceled, what should I do?
Rebook through your airline's app or website first – it is usually faster than the airport counter or phone line. Because this is a weather event, airlines generally offer free rebooking but are not required to cover hotels or meals.
Is it safe to drive to the airport in Houston right now?
Give yourself extra time and never drive through water-covered roads – Houston thunderstorms can cause rapid street flooding. Check local conditions before leaving, and confirm your flight is actually operating before making the trip.
Update History
Earlier updates on this page, newest first:
- Nov 1, 2026 – Flooding leads to evacuations in northern Arizona, rain forces ground stop at Sky Harbor (12News)
- Oct 31, 2026 – Las Vegas Flash Floods: Harry Reid Airport Ground Stop Delays Flights Ahead of Halloween Weekend (Travel Tourister)
- Oct 30, 2026 – Ground stop, departure delay issued for Phoenix Sky Harbor (KTAR News 92.3 FM)
- Oct 27, 2026 – Hundreds of flights delayed at DIA amid fog-related ground stop
- Oct 26, 2026 – Back-to-Back Storms Slam Northern Europe: Hundreds of Flights Canceled, Power Outages Reported
- Oct 25, 2026 – Storm Boelo: Hundreds of UK Flights Cancelled as 80mph Winds Hit
- Oct 24, 2026 – Taiwan Shuts Down Ahead of Typhoon: Hundreds of Flights Canceled
- Oct 23, 2026 – Typhoon Champi Nears Taiwan: Hundreds of Flights Cancelled Across Region
- Oct 22, 2026 – Taiwan Shuts Down Ahead of Weakening Typhoon Champi — Hundreds of Flights Cancelled
- Oct 20, 2026 – Large-Scale Flight Disruption: What an Airport 'Ground Stop' Means for Travelers
- Oct 18, 2026 – Plane Skids Off Runway at Harry Reid Airport, Prompting Ground Stop and Delays
- Oct 17, 2026 – American Airlines Flights Resume After IT Outage Triggers Nationwide Ground Stop
- Oct 16, 2026 – Large-Scale Flight Disruption: Hundreds of Flights Grounded Across 22 Russian Airports
- Oct 15, 2026 – LAX Ground Stop Disrupts Flights After FAA Equipment Outage
- Oct 14, 2026 – Ground Stop Lifted at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport After Fiber Optic Cable Damage
- Oct 13, 2026 – State of Emergency at Nuremberg Airport: All Flights Grounded
- Oct 12, 2026 – Ground Stop Issued at Phoenix Sky Harbor Due to Thunderstorms
- Oct 11, 2026 – Wind Triggers Ground Stop at Phoenix Sky Harbor
- Oct 10, 2026 – Dust Wall Sweeps Phoenix Valley; Sky Harbor Under Ground Stop Amid Thunderstorms
- Oct 8, 2026 – Houthi Attack on Middle East Airport Triggers Hundreds of Flight Cancellations
- Oct 6, 2026 – Mass Flight Cancellations Across Moscow Airports After Large Drone Strike Hits Key Oil Hub
- Oct 5, 2026 – FAA Issues Ground Stop at Atlanta Airport – Widespread Delays Expected
- Oct 3, 2026 – American Airlines Resumes Flights After Brief IT Outage Triggers Nationwide Ground Stop
- Oct 2, 2026 – Ground Stop at Chicago O'Hare After Disabled Plane on Airfield
- Oct 1, 2026 – San Antonio Travelers May See Delays, Cancellations as Dallas Ground Stop Ripples Through Texas
- Sep 30, 2026 – Ground Stop Issued at Austin-Bergstrom Airport Wednesday — Delays and Cancellations Expected
- Sep 29, 2026 – Ground Stop at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport: Flights Halted, Travelers Should Check With Airlines
- Sep 28, 2026 – Hundreds of Flights Canceled as Nor'easter Hits East Coast Airports
- Sep 27, 2026 – Nor'easter Grounds Hundreds of Flights, Knocks Out Power Along US East Coast
- Sep 26, 2026 – Hundreds of Flights Canceled at Boston Logan as Nor'easter Disrupts Travel
Keep tracking this:
Source: Houston Chronicle
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waning Crescent (29% illuminated), in Virgo.
Notable planetary angles: Venus sextile Jupiter (60°), Sun conjunct Mercury (2°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 1.3; strongest recent solar flare: nothing notable.
This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.