Winter storm forces school closures and remote classes across the U.S.

A broad storm system disrupts a Monday across multiple regions

A major winter storm sweeping through large parts of the United States forced widespread changes to normal routines on Monday, January 26, 2026. Snow, freezing rain, and dangerous travel conditions contributed to school closures, remote-learning days, and cancellations of extracurricular activities. Utility crews also dealt with outages as the storm moved across an enormous footprint, affecting communities from the South into the Northeast.

With roads icing over and visibility dropping in heavier bands of precipitation, many officials urged residents to stay off the roads unless travel was essential. In several areas, the storm arrived as a multi-day event, creating uncertainty about when districts could safely return to in-person instruction and when after-school programs could resume.

Large districts shift schedules, cancel activities, and move online

School systems in major cities announced closures or remote learning for the day. In New York City, public schools moved instruction online and called off after-school programs, athletic competitions, and adult education classes. Boston reported that schools and central offices would be closed, and Baltimore also confirmed a districtwide shutdown as the storm affected conditions across the region.

In the Southeast, Atlanta paused classes while monitoring conditions for the next day, and districts in Middle Tennessee announced multiple days of cancellations as the storm’s impacts stretched beyond a single morning commute. The staggered choices reflected local forecasts, road-treatment capacity, and concerns about student transportation during freezing rain and snow.

Ohio schools and universities also impacted

Snow and ice in Ohio prompted closures in major districts, including Cincinnati and Columbus, and universities also adjusted operations. The Ohio State University shifted to virtual instruction for January 26 and 27 while keeping only limited campus services open. Other campuses reported closures or remote options, while essential staff in areas such as dining, facilities, and public safety were still asked to report where possible.

Administrators emphasized that decisions were centered on safety for students and staff, particularly where untreated roads and rapidly changing conditions posed elevated risks. Transportation agencies continued treating roads as temperatures remained low enough to keep ice in place.

Power outages and safety messaging add to the disruption

Beyond schools, the storm strained infrastructure in some areas, with outages leaving households without reliable heat during bitter weather. Officials warned residents to track local alerts, conserve energy where possible, and check on neighbors who may be more vulnerable to cold exposure. As the system continued to move, forecasts called for additional wintry precipitation in the days ahead in parts of the storm’s path.