Full Breakdown
Chicago Public Schools and Area Districts Cancel Classes Due to Extreme Cold
1/23/2026, 6:52:52 AM
Extreme Cold Warning and School Closures
On January 22, 2026, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced the cancellation of classes for Friday due to an extreme cold warning issued by the National Weather Service. The warning, effective from 3 a.m. to noon, indicated dangerously low temperatures and wind chills that could lead to frostbite on exposed skin within minutes. CPS, along with nearly 200 other school districts in the Chicago area, decided to close schools, citing safety concerns for students and staff traveling in the severe weather conditions.
Temperatures were forecasted to drop to as low as -9 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chills reaching between -30 and -40 degrees. The high temperature for the day was expected to be around zero degrees. In addition to CPS, several suburban districts, including Glenview School District 31 and Naperville District 203, also closed schools or shifted to remote learning due to the extreme cold.
Impact on Extracurricular Activities
CPS announced that all extracurricular activities, including athletic practices and events, would also be canceled for the day. The district emphasized that there would be no remote learning on this day, and classes were scheduled to resume on Monday, January 26. This decision was made to ensure the safety of students, particularly those who rely on public transportation to get to school.
CPS parent Nancy Salgado expressed gratitude for the closure, highlighting the challenges faced by students who must walk or take buses in such extreme weather. The early notification provided by CPS was appreciated by parents, allowing them to make necessary arrangements for childcare.
Official Statements and Decision-Making Process
CPS stated that it collaborates closely with the City’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication to guide its decision-making regarding school closures. Factors considered include air temperature, wind chill, snow and ice accumulation, accessibility of buildings, and the ability to transport students safely. CPS also conducts regular maintenance checks on heating systems and has snow removal plans in place.
Other institutions, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and Adler Planetarium, also announced closures for the day, citing similar concerns regarding the extreme cold.
Criticism and Opposition
While the decision to close schools was largely supported by parents and officials, some critics argue that remote learning options should have been made available to minimize disruption. However, CPS maintained that the safety of students was the primary concern, and the extreme conditions warranted a complete closure.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There were discrepancies in the reporting of specific temperatures and wind chill values across various sources. While most reports indicated wind chills as low as -30 to -40 degrees, some sources suggested slightly different figures. Additionally, the exact number of schools that shifted to remote learning was not uniformly reported.
Verbatim Quotes
- “it helps prepare working parents who need to arrange care for children.” — Nancy Salgado, CPS Parent
- “CPS also closely monitors weather forecasts and makes all decisions related to school closings based on the health and safety of our students,” — CPS Official Statement
As the Chicago area braces for continued cold weather, the decision to close schools reflects a proactive approach to ensuring the safety of students and staff amid extreme conditions.
