California Schools Close Amid Winter Storm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

With a powerful winter storm bringing heavy rain, snow, and hazardous travel conditions to parts of California, some school districts have decided to close schools on Tuesday, February 17th. The Pollock Pines Elementary School District and Silver Fork Elementary School District have both announced they will be closed for the day, with plans to re-evaluate the weather situation before potentially reopening on Wednesday.

Why it matters

The winter storm has created dangerous driving conditions across Northern California, with reports of traffic delays, chain controls, and road closures. School officials are prioritizing student safety by closing schools until the storm passes and travel becomes safer.

The details

The ABC10 Weather Team has issued a Weather Impact Alert that is expected to continue through Thursday, with periods of heavy rain and snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Pollock Pines Elementary School District and Silver Fork Elementary School District cited the harsh weather and safety concerns as the reasons for closing schools on Tuesday.

• The winter storm hit California on Sunday afternoon.
• The school closures are in effect on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
• The school districts plan to re-evaluate the weather conditions before potentially reopening on Wednesday.

What’s next

The school districts plan to re-evaluate the weather conditions on Wednesday to determine if it is safe to reopen schools.