How Cold Does It Have To Be To Cancel School

The decision to cancel school due to cold weather is usually made by school districts or individual schools based on a number of factors, including the temperature, wind chill, and overall weather conditions. Generally, schools will cancel classes if the temperature is below zero degrees Fahrenheit or if the wind chill is extremely low and poses a danger to students.

The wind chill is an important factor to consider when determining if it is too cold to go to school. Wind chill is the temperature that it feels like on the skin when the actual temperature is combined with the wind speed. For example, if the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind speed is 20 mph, the wind chill will be -2 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that even if the temperature is above zero, the wind chill can make it feel much colder and pose a danger to students.

The National Weather Service provides recommendations for schools to determine if it is too cold to go to school. According to their guidelines, schools should consider cancelling classes if the wind chill is below -20 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because at this temperature, frostbite can occur on exposed skin within 30 minutes.

In addition to the temperature and wind chill, schools also consider other weather conditions when deciding to cancel classes. For example, if there is a blizzard or heavy snowfall, schools may cancel classes to ensure the safety of students and staff. If there is a power outage, schools may also cancel classes to ensure that students have a safe and warm place to stay.

Finally, schools may also consider the impact of the weather on transportation when deciding to cancel classes. If the roads are icy or too dangerous for school buses to travel, schools may cancel classes to ensure the safety of students and staff.

In conclusion, the decision to cancel school due to cold weather is made based on a number of factors, including the temperature, wind chill, overall weather conditions, and the impact on transportation. Schools generally cancel classes if the temperature is below zero degrees Fahrenheit or if the wind chill is extremely low and poses a danger to students. It is important for schools to consider the safety of students and staff when making this decision.