Quick Read
- Schools across Central Ohio, Northeast Ohio, and Indianapolis are closed or delayed on January 30, 2026.
- Extreme cold and lingering hazardous road conditions from Winter Storm Fern are the primary causes.
- Some Central Ohio districts are experiencing their fifth consecutive day without classes.
- Columbus City Schools, Ohio’s largest district, canceled classes and extracurriculars, offering take-home meals on January 29.
- Temperatures as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit and wind chills of minus 25 degrees are forecast in parts of Ohio.
COLUMBUS (Azat TV) – Widespread school closures and delays are once again impacting thousands of students across Central Ohio, Northeast Ohio, and the Indianapolis metropolitan area on Friday, January 30, 2026. An extended Arctic outbreak is bringing extreme cold and challenging road conditions in the wake of Winter Storm Fern, leading many districts to cancel classes for the day. For some areas in Central Ohio, this marks the fifth consecutive day of no school, underscoring the persistent disruption caused by severe winter weather across the region.
Lingering Cold Prompts Central Ohio Closures
In Central Ohio, numerous school districts have announced closures for January 30. While the intensity of new snowfall has diminished, road conditions remain difficult, and a significant threat of extreme cold is moving through the region. An Arctic outbreak is expected to grip Ohio through at least January 31, with temperatures consistently well below normal and multiple nights dropping to zero degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Wind chills as low as minus 25 degrees are possible, prompting extreme cold warnings and advisories across much of the state, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
Columbus City Schools, the state’s largest school district, confirmed the cancellation of all classes and extracurricular activities for January 30. Recognizing the potential impact on student access to meals, the district had opened five designated school sites on January 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to provide take-home breakfast and lunch for its students. These sites – including Columbus Global/International High School, West High School, South High School, Walnut Ridge High School, and Linden McKinley High School – were strategically chosen for their geographic location, proximity to major roads, and anticipated student needs. Students and guardians were required to complete a form to receive the meals.
Beyond Columbus City Schools, a comprehensive list of Central Ohio districts opting for closure on January 30 includes Big Walnut Local Schools, Buckeye Valley Schools, Dublin City Schools, Hilliard City Schools, Olentangy Local Schools, Pickerington Local Schools, Reynoldsburg City Schools, and Westerville City Schools, among many others. Several districts, such as Columbus Jewish Day School and Gahanna-Jefferson City Schools, implemented two-hour delays rather than full cancellations, indicating varying local conditions and operational decisions.
Indianapolis Area Faces Frigid Conditions
Further west, schools across the Indianapolis area are also grappling with the effects of sustained frigid temperatures. Numerous districts in the metropolitan region have announced either closures or delays for January 30, affecting thousands of students in Indiana. According to The Indianapolis Star, prominent districts such as Avon Community School Corp., Brownsburg Community School Corp., Carmel Clay Schools, Hamilton Southeastern Schools, Indianapolis Public Schools, and Westfield Washington Schools are among those that have altered schedules due to the hazardous weather.
Many of these decisions reflect the ongoing challenge of ensuring student safety during extreme cold, which can pose risks for children traveling to and from school, particularly at bus stops or during walking commutes. Park Tudor, a notable private school, confirmed it would be closed, with all on-campus events canceled.
Northeast Ohio Schools Also Affected by Extreme Cold
In Northeast Ohio, a significant number of schools have also canceled classes on January 30, primarily due to the intense cold. Cleveland.com reported that while only a handful of districts in Cuyahoga County announced closures today, Akron Public Schools once again opted to close. Temperatures in Cleveland dropped to zero degrees Fahrenheit just after 5:30 a.m., with forecasts predicting a high of around 12 degrees Fahrenheit for the day.
Other districts in Northeast Ohio, including Ashtabula Area City Schools, Bedford City Schools, Conneaut Area City Schools, Garfield Heights City Schools, and Jefferson Area Local Schools, also confirmed cancellations. These decisions highlight the widespread nature of the cold snap and its impact on school operations across different parts of Ohio, reinforcing the challenges faced by administrators in prioritizing student and staff safety.
The cumulative impact of Winter Storm Fern and the subsequent Arctic blast has created an extended period of disruption for educational institutions across the Central United States. The pattern of multi-day closures, particularly in Central Ohio, signals not only the severity of the weather events but also the logistical complexities involved in ensuring student welfare, from safe transportation to continued access to essential services like meals, during prolonged periods of extreme conditions.