CPS Cancels Classes for Friday Due to Extreme Cold
CPS cancels classes for all students across the district for Friday, January 23, 2026. Chicago Public Schools officials made the decision late Thursday following an urgent forecast from the National Weather Service. The district cites dangerous weather conditions, specifically life-threatening wind chills, as the primary reason for the closure. This announcement affects hundreds of thousands of families who must now arrange for childcare and keep students indoors.
Extreme Cold Warning Issued for Chicago
The National Weather Service (NWS) has placed the entire Chicago area under an extreme cold warning. Meteorologists predict that temperatures will plunge significantly overnight. By Friday morning, wind chill values are expected to drop as low as -35 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions present an immediate danger to anyone venturing outdoors.
Health experts warn that frostbite can develop on exposed skin in less than 10 minutes in such severe weather. Hypothermia is also a major risk. The decision to close schools focuses primarily on the safety of students who walk to school or wait at bus stops. Prolonged exposure to these temperatures could lead to serious health emergencies. District leadership determined that asking students to travel in these conditions poses an unacceptable risk.
No Remote Learning Planned
Importantly, the district clarified the status of instruction for the day. CPS cancels classes fully, meaning there will be no e-learning or remote instruction on Friday. Students and staff will have a traditional day off. This marks a shift from some previous weather events where the district utilized digital platforms to continue lessons.
Officials stated that the closure applies to all academic programs. Parents do not need to log their children into Google Classroom or other learning management systems. The district intends for students to disconnect and focus on staying safe and warm. This policy aims to alleviate the stress on families who might struggle to manage remote learning while also dealing with heating issues or other cold-weather challenges.
Facilities and Activities Shut Down
The shutdown extends beyond the classroom. All Chicago Public Schools buildings and facilities will remain closed to the public throughout the day. This includes administrative offices, sports complexes, and school libraries. Essential staff, such as building engineers, may still report to ensure that heating systems function properly, but the buildings will not host any public programming.
Furthermore, the cancellation covers all after-school activities. Athletic practices, scheduled games, and club meetings are all called off for Friday. The district emphasized that no student groups should report to campus for any reason. This sweeping measure ensures that no buses need to run and no students need to navigate the hazardous roads or sidewalks.
Transportation and logistical challenges
Severe cold creates massive logistical hurdles for a district the size of CPS. Diesel fuel in school buses can gel in sub-zero temperatures, leading to engine failures. Hydraulic systems on buses and accessibility lifts also face a higher risk of malfunction. Ensuring that thousands of buses can start and run reliably becomes nearly impossible when wind chills hit -40 degrees.
Additionally, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) often experiences delays during extreme cold snaps. Tracks can crack, and switches can freeze, causing slowdowns for the thousands of students who rely on public transit. By canceling classes, the district avoids the potential nightmare of students becoming stranded on cold platforms or stuck on disabled buses.
Safety Tips for Families
City officials urge residents to take the cold warning seriously. Families should limit time outdoors and dress in multiple layers if they must leave their homes. Covering all exposed skin is vital to prevent frostbite. Residents should also check on elderly neighbors and vulnerable family members to ensure they have adequate heat.
The city typically operates warming centers during such events. Libraries and park district field houses often serve as refuges for those who lack proper heating. However, residents should check the city’s official website or call 311 to confirm which locations are open before traveling.
Landlords must legally provide heat to tenants. According to the Chicago heat ordinance, temperatures inside rental units must meet specific minimums. Tenants without heat should report the issue to 311 immediately.
Looking Ahead to Monday
District officials expect the closure to be brief. CPS cancels classes for Friday only at this time. The current forecast suggests that temperatures will moderate slightly over the weekend. Classes are expected to resume on a normal schedule on Monday, January 26.
However, parents should remain vigilant. Weather patterns can change rapidly in the Midwest. The district advises families to monitor official CPS communication channels, including email, the district website, and social media accounts. Local news outlets will also provide updates regarding the status of schools for the coming week.
This closure serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of Chicago winters. While snow days are common, “cold days” occur when the air itself becomes a hazard. For now, the priority remains the safety and well-being of the city’s youth as the region endures this arctic blast.
