A powerful winter weat
her system continues to grip large portions of the United States, forcing hundreds of school districts to cancel classes or switch to remote learning. From the Great Lakes to the Southeast, administrators are prioritizing student safety as freezing temperatures and heavy snow make travel treacherous.
Regional Highlights of Closures
Michigan & Midwest: Following heavy lake-effect snow, numerous districts in Western Michigan remain closed today. Western Michigan University (WMU) canceled all classes earlier this week, and several K-12 districts in the "snow belt" near Lake Michigan have extended closures due to whiteout conditions.
Florida Panhandle: In a rare event, Walton County School District has announced closures for today and tomorrow (January 21–22) due to an approaching winter storm, highlighting the unusual reach of this cold front.
Pennsylvania: Many districts, including Reading School District, have implemented two-hour delays or full closures this morning as icy roads remain a primary concern for bus transportation.
The DMV Area (DC, Maryland, Virginia): While many schools in the Washington D.C. metro area remain open, several districts in Northern Virginia and Western Maryland are on high alert with potential delays as a new wave of snow is expected later this week.
Shift to "Snow Days" vs. Remote Learning
While many traditional "snow days" are being called, a growing number of districts in Ohio and West Virginia have opted for Remote Learning Days. This allows students to continue their curriculum from home, avoiding the need to add extra days to the school calendar in June.
Buffalo Public Schools Status
Interestingly, despite the "Winter Storm Warning" in the region, Buffalo Public Schools remain open today, Wednesday, January 21. Officials noted that while conditions are snowy, the city’s specialized snow-clearing equipment has kept main routes safe enough for travel, though they continue to monitor the situation for afternoon activities.
