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State College schools extend 2-hour delays due to extreme cold
The State College Area School District will open late for the rest of the week as temperatures are expected to remain dangerously low.
Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:23pm
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The State College Area School District (SCASD) in Pennsylvania announced it will extend its series of two-hour delays through the rest of the week due to 'very cold temperatures.' The district informed parents of the additional delays late Wednesday morning, following a Sunday snowstorm that dumped more than a foot of snow in the area. SCASD Superintendent Curtis Johnson cited concerns for the approximately 600 students who walk to school and the National Weather Service's cold weather advisory as factors in the decision.
Why it matters
Extreme cold weather can pose serious risks to students' health and safety, especially those who walk to school. SCASD's decision to delay openings aims to protect its students and staff while also considering the district's logistics, such as the capacity to salt the grounds.
The details
SCASD will open two hours late on Thursday and Friday this week, after previously announcing delays on Tuesday and Wednesday. The district typically considers temperatures unsafe for delays and cancellations when it falls below 5 degrees or the wind chill reaches minus-20 degrees, but Johnson said at least 10 combined factors are considered, including the district's square mileage and the ability of crews to salt the grounds.
- On Sunday, a snowstorm dumped more than a foot of snow throughout much of Centre County.
- SCASD closed schools on Monday and announced delays for Tuesday and Wednesday.
- On Wednesday, SCASD informed parents of the additional delays for Thursday and Friday.
The players
State College Area School District (SCASD)
The public school district serving the State College, Pennsylvania area, which includes about 600 students who walk to school.
Curtis Johnson
The superintendent of the State College Area School District.
What they’re saying
“We want to reiterate that a great deal of planning and thought goes into making our weather delays and cancellations. While we do have temperature guidelines, those are only one contributing factor in our plan. This week is especially difficult because the extended cold has been combined with significant snowfall and drifting.”
— Curtis Johnson, Superintendent, State College Area School District (centredaily.com)
What’s next
The next scheduled day(s) off for SCASD students is spring break from March 9-13.
The takeaway
SCASD's decision to extend two-hour delays highlights the careful consideration school districts must make when extreme weather conditions threaten student safety, balancing temperature guidelines with other logistical factors like snowfall, wind chill, and the ability to prepare school grounds.
