If you stepped outside this morning and felt like the cold smacked you in the face, you’re not alone. Brutally low temperatures and dangerous wind chills have swept across Northeast Ohio, forcing dozens of school districts to either cancel classes or delay start times.
With wind chills well below freezing, school officials are prioritizing safety, especially for students who walk to school or wait at bus stops. Here’s the latest on closures, delays, and how to keep warm during this deep freeze.
Which Schools Are Closed or Delayed?
A growing list of schools has shut down for the day, including:
- Piqua City Schools
- Bethel Local Schools
- Miami East Schools
- Milton Union Schools
- Sidney City Schools
- Urbana City Schools
Other districts have opted for a two-hour delay, hoping to avoid the coldest part of the morning. Those include:
- Valley View Local Schools
- Brookville City Schools
- Tecumseh Local Schools
- Springfield-Clark CTC
- Troy City Schools
- Bellefontaine City Schools
If you’re unsure about your child’s school, check your district’s website or turn on your local news for the latest updates.
Why Are Schools Closing?
There’s no magic number for when schools decide to close due to cold, but officials look at a few key factors:
- Wind Chill Danger – When it’s this cold, frostbite can happen in as little as 10 minutes on exposed skin. That’s a huge concern for students who have to walk to school or wait outside for buses.
- Bus Issues – Freezing temps can cause buses to struggle with mechanical problems and delays, leaving kids standing in the cold longer than usual.
- Building Conditions – Some older schools may not heat up fast enough to be comfortable for students, especially after a frigid night.
How to Stay Warm & Safe
- Layer Up: Several layers will retain heat more effectively than a single, heavy covering. Remember to wear scarves, hats, and gloves!
- Start the automobile Early: Allow your automobile to warm up for a few more minutes if you must drive. Mornings like this are bad for cold engines.
- Remain indoors whenever you can: Don’t be out in the cold if you don’t have to. Frostbite is a real concern.
- Check for Updates: Since weather patterns can change quickly, pay attention to local forecasts and announcements from the school district.
When Will It Warm Up?
Unfortunately, this deep freeze isn’t going anywhere just yet. Temperatures are expected to stay dangerously low for the next few days before warming up slightly by the weekend. That means we could see more closures and delays before this is over.
If you have kids in school, keep checking for updates because more schedule changes could be on the way.