After a winter storm and record-breaking snowfall hit the Dallas-Fort Worth area over the weekend, many school districts closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Warmer temperatures are expected to return Wednesday and improve road conditions enough to put schools back in session on Thursday. Tuesday was the first time temperatures in Dallas-Fort Worth rose above freezing for several days, beginning the thaw.
By Tuesday afternoon, it was clear road conditions hadn’t improved enough, and districts across North Texas began to make the call to cancel Wednesday classes.
As of Wednesday morning, road conditions were far from ideal due to a dense, freezing fog. After that fog clears, North Texans should expect sunnier skies with a high of 42 degrees by Wednesday afternoon, which will help melt ice on the roads.
The Education Lab
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In Dallas ISD, school personnel drive through streets near schools and evaluate road conditions, according to district policy. They consult with the weather service, police and gas and utility companies, and communicate findings to Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde, who makes the final call whether to close schools.
So far, districts, like Dallas ISD, Fort Worth ISD and Richardson ISD, have not announced plans to close schools on Thursday.
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.