Narrative:

The ceilings were low and weather was IFR. I was working local. I was scanning the runway when someone over the frequency said 'watch your runway'. I looked towards the approach end of runway 22L; within a second of doing so; aircraft X broke through the clouds and was left of course. I stated 'aircraft X; you're off course go around.' aircraft X responded 'we're going around; aircraft X'. Recently the terminal lights were replaced. They are much brighter than they used to be. Perhaps aircraft X got disoriented with the terminal lights and mistook them for the runway lights. The terminal and runway 22L are not too far from each other.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MDW Controller reported aircraft misaligned with runway; possibly aligned with new bright terminal lighting.

Narrative: The ceilings were low and weather was IFR. I was working Local. I was scanning the runway when someone over the frequency said 'Watch your runway'. I looked towards the approach end of RWY 22L; within a second of doing so; Aircraft X broke through the clouds and was left of course. I stated 'Aircraft X; you're off course go around.' Aircraft X responded 'We're going around; Aircraft X'. Recently the terminal lights were replaced. They are much brighter than they used to be. Perhaps Aircraft X got disoriented with the terminal lights and mistook them for the runway lights. The terminal and RWY 22L are not too far from each other.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.