OHIO — School districts across Ohio could be weighing delays or closures for Thursday as snow and bitter winter conditions move into the region, potentially making the morning commute hazardous.
Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate late Wednesday into early Thursday, with snow developing during the day Wednesday and bands of lake-effect snow remaining active into Thursday morning. Forecasters say those conditions could create slick and snow-covered roads during the time students and staff typically travel to school.
As districts monitor snowfall totals, temperatures, and road conditions, families may begin looking for clues about whether classes will be canceled. One online tool gaining attention is the Snow Day Calculator, which allows users to enter their ZIP code to estimate the likelihood of a school closure based on projected weather conditions. The calculator was created by a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and uses data from the National Weather Service.
While the calculator is not an official forecasting or decision-making tool, school officials stress that final decisions on closures or delays are made locally, based on safety assessments, road conditions, and input from transportation staff.
Parents and students are encouraged to monitor announcements from their local school districts and be prepared for possible changes to Thursday’s schedule as winter weather impacts continue.
