SNOW FLURRIES AND HOW LONG THIS BRUTAL COLD WILL LAST. COMING UP. AND WITH THE COLD TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND, CAM ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN PREPARING THEIR CAMPUSES. WESH TWO BOB HAZEN GOT A LOOK AT THE WORK THAT INCLUDES PROTECTING THE HEATING SYSTEMS. THE COLDEST TEMPERATURES WE’LL SEE WILL HAPPEN WHEN KIDS ARE NOT IN CLASS. BUT STILL, THE BUILDINGS THEMSELVES COULD FACE ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE COLD. CPS SAYS THAT IT’S BEEN GOING AROUND AND TESTING THE HEATING SYSTEMS ON THEIR CAMPUSES. THOSE DON’T GET A WHOLE LOT OF WORK, OF COURSE. DURING MOST OF THE YEAR. SO THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY’RE FUNCTIONING HOW THEY SHOULD. MAINTENANCE TEAMS ARE ALSO ON STANDBY IN CASE SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN. THE DISTRICT SAYS IT’S ALSO BEEN CHECKING THE BATTERIES ON BUSSES BECAUSE THOSE CAN SUFFER IN REALLY COLD TEMPERATURES. AND AS FOR KIDS ON MONDAY, ANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE GOING TO BE MOVED INDOORS, IF THAT’S POSSIBLE. AND CPS HAS SOME ADVICE FOR PARENTS TOO. THEY SAY PUT YOUR KIDS IN WARM CLOTHES IN LAYERS, INCLUDING HATS, COATS AND GLOVES. TRY TO MINIMIZE HOW MUCH TIME THEY SPEND AT THE BUS STOP, AND WATCH OUT FOR ALERTS FROM THE DISTRICT, BECAUSE THEY’LL BE SENDING OUT COMMUNICATIONS. IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES THAT DO POP UP BECAUSE OF THE COLD. COVERING ORANGE COUNTY BOB HAZEN WESH TWO NEWS. WE CHECKED IN ON OTHER DISTRICTS AS WELL. MARION COUNTY SAYS THERE ARE NO PLANS TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY, BUT PE TEACHERS ALWAYS HAVE THE OPTION TO MOVE ACTIVITIES INDOORS. BOTH SEMINOLE AND SUMTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS SAY ALL OPERATIONS WILL RUN AS USUAL, AND WE ARE STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FRO
Are classes canceled? Central Florida schools prep for rare arctic blast
Updated: 6:27 PM EST Feb 1, 2026
Central Florida is bracing for the coldest weather it has seen in years, with forecasters predicting temperatures could plummet into the low 30s and potentially upper 20s across the region. The rare arctic blast is set to arrive this weekend and persist into early next week, leaving many wondering if schools will stay open.School districts throughout Central Florida have begun notifying parents about potential schedule changes. Here is a look at the plans:Orange CountyAs of Sunday, Orange County Public Schools has not announced school closures. OCPS shared the following plan:Monitoring Weather Conditions: District leaders are closely tracking updates from the National Weather Service to respond quickly to changing conditions.Transportation Readiness: Bus fleets have been inspected for cold-weather performance, including battery checks, engine warm-ups, and safety equipment reviews.School Facilities: Heating systems across all campuses have been tested, and maintenance teams are on standby to respond immediately to temperature-related issues.Outdoor Activities: All outdoor activities will be relocated indoors, as needed.Communication: Families will receive timely updates, if needed, through district communication channels, including email, text alerts, district website, and social media.Marion CountyAs of Friday, Marion County had no plans to close schools. “Given the colder temperatures, we are encouraging parents to send their kids to school with extra layers of clothing and coats if possible. For students who need warmer clothing, our schools have supplies and resources to make that happen,” Marion County Public Schools said. If plans change, it encourages students and parents to check for updates here.Seminole CountySeminole County Public Schools said all school operations will run as usual. “We will be prepared to receive students and staff on buses and in our buildings,” SCPS said. Sumter CountyNo changes to operations as of Sunday. Everything is expected to run as scheduled.Statement from Sumter County School District: “As temperatures drop, we kindly ask families to help students come to school dressed for the weather—warm coats, hats, gloves, and appropriate footwear are especially helpful for arrival, dismissal, and any time spent outdoors. You may also want to allow a little extra time for travel.”We’ll continue to keep an eye on conditions and will reach out if anything changes.Lake CountyAs of Sunday at 2:30 p.m., Lake County officials say schools will remain open on Monday, Feb. 2.Statement from Lake County Schools (LCS) Communications:”We are taking steps to ensure that indoor learning environments remain comfortable, and principals have the flexibility to adjust outdoor activities during the coldest parts of the day.Families are encouraged to dress students warmly for bus stops and transitions between buildings.”Volusia CountyAll Volusia County schools will be open and on normal schedules as of Sunday at 6 p.m.
Central Florida —
Central Florida is bracing for the coldest weather it has seen in years, with forecasters predicting temperatures could plummet into the low 30s and potentially upper 20s across the region.
The rare arctic blast is set to arrive this weekend and persist into early next week, leaving many wondering if schools will stay open.
School districts throughout Central Florida have begun notifying parents about potential schedule changes. Here is a look at the plans:
Orange County
As of Sunday, Orange County Public Schools has not announced school closures.
OCPS shared the following plan:
Monitoring Weather Conditions: District leaders are closely tracking updates from the National Weather Service to respond quickly to changing conditions.Transportation Readiness: Bus fleets have been inspected for cold-weather performance, including battery checks, engine warm-ups, and safety equipment reviews.School Facilities: Heating systems across all campuses have been tested, and maintenance teams are on standby to respond immediately to temperature-related issues.Outdoor Activities: All outdoor activities will be relocated indoors, as needed.Communication: Families will receive timely updates, if needed, through district communication channels, including email, text alerts, district website, and social media.Marion County
As of Friday, Marion County had no plans to close schools.
“Given the colder temperatures, we are encouraging parents to send their kids to school with extra layers of clothing and coats if possible. For students who need warmer clothing, our schools have supplies and resources to make that happen,” Marion County Public Schools said.
If plans change, it encourages students and parents to check for updates here.
Seminole County
Seminole County Public Schools said all school operations will run as usual.
“We will be prepared to receive students and staff on buses and in our buildings,” SCPS said.
Sumter County
No changes to operations as of Sunday. Everything is expected to run as scheduled.
Statement from Sumter County School District:
“As temperatures drop, we kindly ask families to help students come to school dressed for the weather—warm coats, hats, gloves, and appropriate footwear are especially helpful for arrival, dismissal, and any time spent outdoors. You may also want to allow a little extra time for travel.”
We’ll continue to keep an eye on conditions and will reach out if anything changes.
Lake County
As of Sunday at 2:30 p.m., Lake County officials say schools will remain open on Monday, Feb. 2.
Statement from Lake County Schools (LCS) Communications:
“We are taking steps to ensure that indoor learning environments remain comfortable, and principals have the flexibility to adjust outdoor activities during the coldest parts of the day.
Families are encouraged to dress students warmly for bus stops and transitions between buildings.”
Volusia County
All Volusia County schools will be open and on normal schedules as of Sunday at 6 p.m.