GEORGIA — Continued hazardous conditions from Winter Storm Fern, including ice, freezing rain and lingering cold, have prompted a mix of school closures, schedule changes and reopenings across Georgia for Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. Icy road conditions and power outages across portions of the state influenced districts’ decisions on whether to resume in-person instruction.
Districts Reopening Tuesday
Many larger metro-area and north Georgia districts will resume in-person classes Tuesday after being closed Monday due to the winter storm:
- Atlanta Public Schools
- City Schools of Decatur
- Cherokee County Schools
- Clayton County Schools
- Cobb County Schools
- DeKalb County Schools
- Douglas County Schools
- Fayette County Schools
- Fulton County Schools
- Griffin-Spalding County Schools
- Gwinnett County Public Schools (monitoring conditions)
- Henry County Schools
- Marietta City Schools
- Paulding County Schools
- Rockdale County Schools
(All listed districts have announced plans to reopen for in-person instruction on Tuesday.)
Officials in these districts noted that while temperatures remain low and patches of ice may persist, road conditions have improved sufficiently to support safe travel.
Closures and Cancelled Classes
Despite reopenings in metro areas, several school systems in Northeast and South Georgia have announced full closures Tuesday because of lingering hazardous road conditions and overnight freezing:
- Sumter County Schools — All schools closed for Tuesday, Jan. 27; will reopen Wednesday, Jan. 28.
- Elbert County Schools — Closed Tuesday due to continued ice and freezing temperatures.
- Franklin County Schools — Closed Tuesday with many secondary roads and bus routes still considered unsafe.
- Hart County Schools — Closed Tuesday; after-school activities also canceled.
- Stephens County Schools — Will also remain closed for Tuesday.
These closures reflect persistent ice on local roads and safety concerns for student transportation in rural and less densely traveled areas.
Delays and Modified Schedules
Some districts are implementing delayed start times rather than full closures to allow crews additional time to treat roads and clear remaining ice. For example:
- Forsyth County Schools — Will **return to in-person learning Tuesday on a two-hour delay to allow for safer travel conditions in the morning hours.
Other nearby systems are considering similar delayed openings where conditions improve later in the morning, though final decisions may vary by district.
Weather and Safety Context
The winter storm that impacted Georgia over the weekend left widespread ice accumulations, snow and hazardous conditions on many roadways. State officials and transportation departments have urged caution due to lingering slick spots and continued freezing overnight temperatures. Nearly 40,000 Georgia customers were without power at the height of the storm’s impact, complicating recovery and travel conditions for students and school staff.
District leaders continue to monitor weather and road reports and may update schedules if conditions change throughout the day. Families are advised to check official district communications for the latest information.
