Winter Storm Forces Widespread School Closures Across Dallas

As a powerful winter storm swept across North Texas in late January 2026, the region experienced a rare and dramatic disruption to its normal routines. With snow blanketing the ground and temperatures plunging well below freezing, school districts and colleges throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area were forced to make swift decisions to protect students, staff, and families from the hazards of icy roads and bitter cold.

By Monday, January 26, it was clear that this winter weather event would have far-reaching consequences for education in the region. According to The Dallas Morning News, most North Texas school districts and colleges either canceled in-person classes or shifted to online learning for both Monday and Tuesday, as road conditions remained treacherous and the threat of further ice lingered. The list of closures was extensive, with districts such as Aledo ISD, Allen ISD, Arlington ISD, Dallas ISD, Fort Worth ISD, Frisco ISD, Garland ISD, McKinney ISD, Plano ISD, Richardson ISD, and many more announcing that campuses would remain shuttered on Tuesday, January 27, in response to the ongoing storm.

Dallas ISD, one of the largest districts in the region, took decisive action early. As reported by KRLD, the district shut down all campuses on both Monday and Tuesday, citing concerns about anticipated icy travel and dangerously low temperatures. All athletic events and practices, whether indoor or outdoor, were postponed during this period. In an official update, Dallas ISD confirmed that classes would resume on Wednesday, January 28, and outlined plans to make up for lost instructional time by adding makeup days on Monday, April 6, and Monday, May 4. District leaders encouraged families and staff to keep a close eye on official communications for any further updates, emphasizing that the safety of the community was their "number 1 priority."

The storm brought back memories for many residents, recalling the deadly and traumatic storm of 2021 when widespread power outages left thousands in the dark but didn’t stop children from finding joy in the snow. As Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate noted, even during that challenging time, kids could be seen sledding at Flagpole Hill Park, making snowmen, and enjoying the kind of winter fun Texans usually only see in movies. This year, the call went out again for residents to share their snow day photos and stories, offering a sense of community and inspiration amid the disruption.

While interstates and highways saw some improvement thanks to the efforts of the Texas Department of Transportation, many neighborhood streets remained hazardous, coated with ice and snow. According to The Dallas Morning News, temperatures were expected to climb above freezing on Tuesday afternoon, but a fresh dip into the low 20s overnight meant the threat of re-freezing and additional icy patches for Wednesday morning. This uncertainty left many districts in a holding pattern, with some announcing plans to reopen on Wednesday and others delaying their decisions until road conditions could be reassessed.

Some school systems opted for continued caution. Collin County schools, for example, announced that they would remain closed on Wednesday, January 28, while Kaufman County schools decided to delay their start to 10 a.m., with buses running two hours late and students reporting directly to their third period. The University of North Texas System, including its Denton and Frisco campuses as well as the Richardson campus, announced that they would also remain closed on Wednesday.

Districts made it clear that they were monitoring the situation closely. Many promised to make final decisions by Tuesday afternoon or evening, depending on how conditions evolved. As one district stated in a social media post, “We appreciate your patience as we navigate this weather event. The safety of our entire community is our number 1 priority.” Crews worked diligently to monitor temperatures, check icy roads and bus routes, and inspect campuses to ensure everything would be safe and ready for a possible reopening.

The closures and delays affected not only students and teachers but also families who had to adjust work schedules and childcare arrangements. For many parents, the unexpected snow days meant juggling remote work with supervising children at home. For others, it provided a rare opportunity to enjoy winter activities as a family. Social media was soon filled with images of children making snow angels, building snowpeople, and engaging in spontaneous snowball fights—scenes that, as Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate pointed out, are a novelty in a region more accustomed to mild winters.

But the winter storm also served as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Texas infrastructure during extreme weather. The 2021 storm loomed large in the collective memory, when prolonged power outages and frozen pipes left many households struggling. While this year’s event did not result in the same widespread utility failures, the response from school districts reflected a heightened awareness and caution, with an emphasis on proactive closures and clear communication with families.

As the week progressed, district leaders continued to urge families and staff to monitor official channels for the latest updates. The unpredictability of Texas weather meant that plans could change quickly. Some districts, which had initially announced a Wednesday reopening, clarified that they were “closely evaluating that decision” and would make a final determination later in the day. Others, like the UNT System, made the call early to remain closed, providing as much certainty as possible for students and employees.

Despite the disruptions, there was a palpable sense of resilience and community spirit. The call for snow day photos and stories, as highlighted by Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate, provided a way for neighbors to connect and share moments of joy—even as many remained indoors, hunched over laptops and phones, trying to keep up with work or school assignments. For some, the winter storm was a challenge to be endured; for others, it was a rare chance to experience the magic of a snowy day in Texas.

Looking ahead, Dallas ISD and other districts have already set plans in motion to make up for lost instructional time, with makeup days scheduled later in the spring. The experience of the 2026 winter storm will likely inform future responses to severe weather, as schools continue to balance the need for safety with the importance of maintaining educational continuity.

As the snow begins to melt and temperatures rise, North Texans can reflect on a week that tested their flexibility and resolve. Whether it was the thrill of sledding down a neighborhood hill, the challenge of coordinating remote learning, or the relief of seeing roads finally clear, the winter storm of January 2026 will be remembered as a time when the community came together to weather the cold—one snow day at a time.