Arctic Cold Blast Cancels School For Many

news image
Top Stories
29 Jan 2019 6:42 PM
The coldest blast of air this winter, and perhaps in years, is gripping a large part of the northern U.S.   Wind Chill alerts are in effect through Thursday from the Dakotas, down through Missouri, and over to Pennsylvania.  When the air temperature and wind values are combined, it will feel like 25 to 60 below zero!
Overnight lows into Wednesday morning will be brutal.  28 below zero in Minneapolis.  21 below zero in Chicago.  And 22 below zero in Des Moines.
But when the wind blows, the wind chill values will kick in.  And the resulting windchill values will be unbelievably cold.  In Duluth, it will feel like 59 below zero!  Chicago will feel like negative 47 degrees.  Buffalo will feel like 22 below zero.  Frostbite can set it in a few minutes under such conditions.
The temps and wind chills will be so brutal, that many school districts will be closed on Wednesday.  Public schools in Buffalo, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Des Moines, Fargo, and Grand Rapids will all be closed on Wednesday.  And with similar conditions expected on Thursday, many of these school districts may opt to remain closed for another day.
When determining school closures in the winter, many factors are taken into account.  Usually, a team of school officials will confer on the following variables:
  • Amount and Type of Precipitation
  • Temperature/Wind Chill
  • Visibility
  • Status of Clearing Roads
  • Status of Clearing Sidewalks
  • Refreeze of Melted Snow/Ice from Previous Day
  • Blowing Snow and Continued Snow in the Forecast
With regard to temperatures and wind chill values, the key factor is whether or not it's safe for students to wait at the bus stops in the morning.  School districts have different criteria when it comes to determining this.  Many districts don't have a hard-set temperature cutoff for delaying or cancelling school.  But as a general rule, if students could get frostbite by standing outside for ten minutes, school would likely be cancelled.
There are other factors as well.  For example, some school buses are propane powered.  These buses are not impacted as much by severe cold compared to diesel-fueled buses.
And school districts in rural areas have different factors to consider versus school districts in urban areas.  For example, in rural areas, many students have to walk farther to bus stops and wait at these locations longer than students in a city.  So weather can impact students in rural areas much more. Many districts have their delay and cancellation criteria outlined online.  Parents and students can review school policy to get a better idea of how decisions are made. For WeatherNation:  Meteorologist Matt Monroe
All Weather News
More
Northeast Braces for Winter Second Storm this Week

Northeast Braces for Winter Second Storm this Week

Snowfall rates of 2"/hour reported across the

12 Feb 2025 11:00 AM
Snowy Period Ahead for Colorado

Snowy Period Ahead for Colorado

The jet stream shifts south and targets Color

12 Feb 2025 2:30 AM
Heavy Snow Returns to the Plains

Heavy Snow Returns to the Plains

Another Colorado Low will start to cut throug

12 Feb 2025 2:20 AM
Latest Arctic Blast For Northern U.S.

Latest Arctic Blast For Northern U.S.

NORTHERN PLAINSA blast of arctic air remains

12 Feb 2025 2:05 AM
Deep South Stays Stormy This Week

Deep South Stays Stormy This Week

A series of systems will impact the Midsouth

12 Feb 2025 1:40 AM
Another Batch of Record Warmth in the South

Another Batch of Record Warmth in the South

By now, the South is no stranger to warmer we

11 Feb 2025 4:00 AM
Strong Earthquake in Western Caribbean Saturday Night

Strong Earthquake in Western Caribbean Saturday Night

Around 6PM ET, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake was

9 Feb 2025 11:00 AM