Winter weather is shutting down schools across Southeast Michigan today. Snowfall began early in the morning, and the snow on top of existing road conditions has resulted in school closings in districts across Genesee, Lenawee, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 3am to 1pm Wednesday, with 1-3 inches of accumulation expected across Southeast Michigan. The timing couldn't be worse—early morning snow is making commutes treacherous for buses and families trying to get to school.
Deciding whether to close school isn't simple. Variables like snow, wind, and cold are factors, with most districts using a temperature threshold or considering how many students walk to class. Michigan's largest district, Detroit Public Schools, closed on Tuesday based on the number of students who walk to school or take buses, since the majority of their students rely on walking or public transportation rather than car rides. This week's brutal conditions have forced multiple districts to make similar calls. Some districts in the region remained open despite the cold earlier in the week, showing how each district weighs the unique needs of their student population.
If you're in the Metro Detroit area, you can track possible school closings, delays, and early dismissals for Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 through ClickOnDetroit or FOX 2 Detroit's closings page. West Michigan families should check WZZM13 for updates. More closings could be announced as the day unfolds, so refresh those pages regularly if your school hasn't announced yet.