Chicago-Area Schools Shut Down as Blizzard Warning Expands

Several suburban districts cancel classes due to expected heavy snow and high winds.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:08am

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Multiple suburban Chicago school districts have announced closures for Monday as a blizzard warning has been expanded to include several counties in the region. The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy snow accumulations of 3-5 inches, along with wind gusts over 40 mph, leading to dangerous blizzard conditions.

Why it matters

School closures due to severe winter weather are common in the Chicago area, but the expanding blizzard warning indicates this storm could be particularly disruptive, potentially impacting travel and causing power outages that would force districts to shut down for the safety of students and staff.

The details

The blizzard warning now covers McHenry and DeKalb counties, in addition to the existing winter weather advisory for several other nearby counties. Schools that have announced closures for Monday include Genoa-Kingston, Hiawatha District 426, Harrison School District 36, Trinity Oaks Christian Academy, St. Mary School, and Marian Central Catholic High School.

  • The blizzard warning takes effect at 10 p.m. Sunday and is set to expire at 1 p.m. Monday.
  • The winter weather advisory will also begin late Sunday evening.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency that issued the blizzard warning and winter weather advisory for the Chicago region.

Genoa-Kingston School District

One of the suburban Chicago school districts that announced closures for Monday due to the expected severe weather.

Hiawatha District 426

Another suburban Chicago school district that will be closed on Monday because of the blizzard warning.

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What’s next

Schools and local officials will continue to monitor the weather conditions and make any necessary announcements about additional closures or delays.

The takeaway

This blizzard warning highlights the importance of school districts being proactive about closures to ensure the safety of students and staff during severe winter storms, which can significantly disrupt transportation and power in the Chicago region.