School Closing Outlooks For Monday 01/19/2026 & Tuesday 01/20/2026
- Jonah Drake (Owner & Co-Founder)
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Day 1 School Closing Outlook
Forecast Valid: Monday, January 19, 2026
Forecast Issued: Sunday, January 18, 2026, 3:11 PM EST
Forecasters: Jonah Drake
Administrative Note:
We are aware that many of our districts are closed already in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. However, our policy on this has always been that we will produce School Closing Outlooks whenever we believe closings or delays are possible, with the exception of during Winter Break around Christmas time, when all of our schools are closed. Contrary to popular belief, it is about a 50/50 ratio of schools that observe MLKJr Day, and those that do not.
Summary:
There is an “Extreme” risk (level 6/6) of closings and/or early dismissals on Monday as a result of the combination of sub-zero wind chills, heavy snow, reduced visibilities, and gusty winds with blowing snow.
Discussion:
Additional accumulating snow showers are expected from Sunday night into Monday, with accumulations ranging from 1-6 inches of snow from late this afternoon through 7:00 AM Monday.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for much of our area west of US-131, where this snow will combine with strong gusty winds of 30-45 MPH and create widespread blowing and drifting snow, significantly reduced visibilities, and near-blizzard conditions, which will make travel very difficult and life-threatening, and may become impossible.
Snow and winds further inland may still result in scattered areas of blowing snow, which, when combined with very cold surface temperatures, will result in areas of sub-zero wind chills, reduced visibility, and overall ineffective road treatment processes.
Gusty winds may also result in a few sporadic power outages, especially near the lakeshore.
Suffice it to say, many schools that are scheduled to be open tomorrow and that are not observing the Martin Luther King Jr Holiday will likely be dismissing students and staff early, and as you get near and West of US-131, the majority of schools will likely be forced to close.
Graphical Forecast:
Additional school closings are also likely for Tuesday as a result of residual roadway conditions and even colder wind chill values. See details below.
Day 2 School Closing Outlook
Forecast Valid: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Forecast Issued: Sunday, January 18, 2026, 3:45 PM EST
Forecasters: Jonah Drake
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