Indianapolis, IN – School districts across Indiana are canceling classes or switching to virtual learning today as dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills create hazardous conditions across the state.
According to the National Weather Service, wind chills as low as -35 to -40 degrees are possible in northern Indiana, with Extreme Cold Warnings and Advisories in effect through Friday morning. Officials say the primary concern is student safety during early travel and outdoor exposure.
Districts across northern and central Indiana, including parts of Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Allen, and Tippecanoe counties, announced closures or e-learning plans ahead of the coldest conditions. Several school systems cited frostbite risks at bus stops and reduced reliability of transportation in extreme temperatures.
Weather officials warn that frostbite can occur in 10 minutes or less on exposed skin under current conditions. Administrators also noted the strain extreme cold can place on school facilities, including heating systems and diesel bus operations.
The arctic outbreak extends well beyond Indiana, prompting widespread school closures in Wisconsin and Illinois, where wind chills are forecast to reach similar levels.
Parents and guardians are urged to closely monitor district websites, emails, and official social media accounts for real-time updates, as additional schedule changes remain possible if temperatures fail to improve.
Residents are advised to limit outdoor exposure, dress in insulated layers, and check on elderly neighbors and those without reliable heat during the cold snap.
