This article explores how Chicago-area school districts decide whether to close schools during extreme cold and winter storms.
While many people assume there is a single “cutoff” temperature or snowfall total, the reality is more complex. District leaders weigh a range of safety, infrastructure, and communication factors before making closure decisions that affect hundreds of thousands of students and families.
How Chicago Schools Decide on Cold Weather Closures
Contrary to popular belief, there is no universal rule such as “schools close at minus 10 degrees.” Instead, school leaders in the Chicago region use a multifactor approach that balances student safety, building readiness, and community needs.
There Is No Single Temperature That Closes Schools
Most districts in the area do not set a fixed temperature or snowfall threshold that automatically triggers a closure.
Severe weather is highly variable, and its impact depends on timing, duration, and local conditions.
A bitterly cold morning with clear roads may pose a different risk than a slightly milder day accompanied by heavy snow and ice.
As a result, districts evaluate each event individually. They often use forecasts and real-time observations from trusted weather sources such as the National Weather Service.
District-by-District Approaches to Winter Weather
While all districts prioritize safety, their decision frameworks differ slightly based on geography, transportation patterns, and infrastructure.
Understanding these approaches helps families interpret closure decisions more clearly.
Glenview School District 34: A Case-by-Case Evaluation
Glenview School District 34 uses a comprehensive process that weighs several variables before determining whether to close schools.
The district examines:
The superintendent makes the final decision in collaboration with local authorities and transportation providers.
This ensures that road conditions, emergency response capabilities, and public safety perspectives are part of the discussion.
Glenview School District 31: Guided by Cold Weather Warnings
Glenview School District 31 follows a more defined weather benchmark.
The district closes schools when an extreme cold warning is issued, typically indicating dangerously low wind chills that can cause frostbite in a short time.
Schools generally remain open during less severe cold weather advisories.
This distinction reflects the difference between uncomfortable cold and cold that poses an immediate risk to exposed skin during commutes and outdoor time.
Naperville District 203: Coordinated Decision-Making
Naperville District 203 relies on input from multiple sources before determining whether to close.
These include:
This integrated approach helps ensure that the decision reflects both meteorological science and on-the-ground realities.
Chicago Public Schools: A Large-Scale Collaborative Approach
Chicago Public Schools (CPS), one of the largest districts in the country, must balance the needs of hundreds of thousands of students across a sprawling urban environment when a cold front sweeps through.
Key Factors CPS Considers in Extreme Weather
CPS uses a collaborative framework that involves the city’s Office of Emergency Management alongside district leaders.
Their decision-making process considers a broad set of factors:
CPS maintenance crews play a central role.
They regularly test heating equipment ahead of cold spells and activate snow removal and de-icing plans to keep entrances and walkways accessible whenever possible, even when schools remain open.
How Families Are Notified of Closures
Once a decision is made, rapid and clear communication is crucial so families can adjust their schedules safely and effectively.
Modern Notification Systems for Weather-Related Closures
Most Chicago-area districts now use a multi-channel communication strategy to reach families quickly.
Typical notification tools include:
The region also relies on the Emergency Closing Center, a centralized resource that lists updated closure information for schools and other institutions.
This provides a single reference point for families with children in multiple districts or programs.
Here is the source article for this story: How cold does it have to be for schools to close? What to know