Winter Storm Forces Widespread School Closures Across States

As winter storms swept across large swaths of the United States this week, schools from North Carolina to Michigan and Ohio to Virginia were forced to close their doors or adjust their schedules, leaving thousands of families scrambling to adapt. The combination of heavy snowfall, icy roads, and frigid temperatures proved too dangerous for safe travel, prompting widespread closures and delays that rippled through communities and disrupted daily routines.

On January 15, 2026, the Asheville, North Carolina region was among the first to announce significant changes. According to 828newsNOW, a patchwork of closures and delays affected nearly every district in the area. Avery County Schools implemented a two-hour delay, while Buncombe County’s Enka and Erwin districts switched to remote learning with an optional teacher work day. Graham County Schools also opted for a two-hour delay, and Haywood County mirrored Buncombe’s remote learning approach. Madison County, Yancey County, and Mitchell County Schools all closed entirely, though teachers could still report for work. Even higher education wasn’t spared: Mayland Community College shifted to remote learning, and both Mountain Discovery Charter School and Southwestern Community College started the day two hours late.

But the wintry grip extended well beyond North Carolina. Northeast Ohio awoke on January 15 to a thick blanket of snow and treacherous roads. As reported by the Akron Beacon Journal, Summit, Medina, Stark, and Portage counties saw widespread school closures. The University of Akron’s main and Wayne campuses closed for the day, with plans to reopen late that night. Kent State University shuttered multiple locations—including Ashtabula, Geauga, and Twinsburg—while delaying classes at its main Kent campus until 10 a.m. The ripple effect was immediate: Akron City School District, Archbishop Hoban High School, Barberton City School District, Cuyahoga Falls City School District, and Hudson City School District were just a handful among dozens that canceled classes across the region.

Stark County, Ohio, faced particularly harsh conditions. The Canton Repository noted that a winter weather advisory remained in effect until 7 p.m. on January 15, with the National Weather Service predicting another one to three inches of snowfall. Wind chills hovered around zero degrees Fahrenheit, and the day’s high was forecast at a brisk 19 degrees. Schools such as Brown Local, Canton Local, Carroll County Christian Academy, Dalton Local, Fairless Local, Lake Center Christian, Louisville Local, Marlington Local, Northwest Local, R.G. Drage Career Center, Sandy Valley Local, Tuslaw Local, and others all closed their doors, prioritizing safety over routine.

Meanwhile, in Southeast Michigan, the anticipation of ongoing winter weather led to a flurry of preparations. As of January 15, Metro Detroit schools were bracing for possible closures, delays, and early dismissals for Friday, January 16, according to WDIV. The region’s weather teams urged residents to stay informed through local apps and news channels, reflecting the uncertainty and rapidly changing conditions. Their advice proved prescient: FOX 2 Detroit reported that all Detroit Public Schools would be closed on January 16, citing uncleared side streets, expected low attendance, and continued snowfall near dismissal time. Dozens of other schools across Southeast Michigan joined in, extending the disruptions into the end of the week.

In the Carolinas, the story was much the same. WBTV Charlotte reported that school districts were forced to adjust their schedules for Friday, January 16, as wind chills threatened to plunge as low as 12 degrees below zero in the morning. Some schools closed entirely, others delayed opening, and many shifted to remote learning. A cold weather advisory blanketed parts of Western North Carolina until 7 a.m., with temperatures expected to rise into the 40s by the afternoon—a brief respite before more snow was forecast for the weekend. Saturday morning could bring fresh snowfall to the mountains, and by Sunday, even Charlotte and points further east might see flakes, though forecasters cautioned that the outlook remained uncertain.

Virginia, too, felt the sting of winter’s wrath. On January 16, several districts in the southwestern part of the state announced two-hour delays, as reported by local news outlets. Bland County, Craig County, Giles County, Grayson County, Highland County, and Tazewell County all opted for delayed starts, hoping to give road crews time to clear icy patches and make travel safer for buses and families.

These closures and delays, while disruptive, are part of a well-worn routine for many communities accustomed to harsh winters. Yet, the scale and coordination required to keep students, teachers, and staff safe is no small feat. Administrators must weigh the risks of treacherous roads against the importance of classroom learning, often making decisions in the early hours of the morning as weather forecasts shift by the minute.

For families, the sudden changes can be a logistical headache. Parents scramble to arrange childcare, adjust work schedules, or support remote learning—sometimes with little notice. For students, especially those already grappling with the disruptions of recent years, another missed day can feel like a setback. Still, most seem to understand the necessity. As one Akron parent told News 5 Cleveland, "I’d rather my kids miss a day of school than risk them getting hurt on the way there. The roads are just too dangerous."

Local officials and meteorologists play a crucial role in these decisions. The National Weather Service’s advisories and real-time updates are closely monitored by school leaders, who use them to guide their response. As the Canton Repository emphasized, even a few extra inches of snow or a sudden drop in temperature can turn a manageable situation into a hazardous one, especially on rural roads and bridges prone to icing.

There’s also a ripple effect on other community institutions. Colleges and universities, from Mayland Community College in North Carolina to Kent State and the University of Akron in Ohio, were not immune. Their closures underscore the severity of the conditions and the importance of a unified response. Even as some campuses planned to reopen later in the evening, the day’s disruption was already felt by thousands of students and faculty.

Looking ahead, weather forecasts suggest that the winter blast may not be finished yet. In North Carolina, another round of snow is possible over the weekend, and Virginia could see continued delays if icy conditions persist. Detroit and the surrounding areas remain on alert, with local officials urging residents to stay informed and prioritize safety above all else.

As communities across the Midwest and Southeast adapt to nature’s unpredictable hand, one thing is clear: the safety of students, staff, and families remains the top priority, even when it means another day at home, another lesson learned remotely, or another morning spent waiting for the plows to arrive.