6 News/WJAC-TV Latest School Closings and Delays

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For families across Central Pennsylvania, winter weather often means early mornings spent checking the status of local districts. 6 News (WJAC-TV) serves as the primary source for school closings and delays across Johnstown, Altoona, State College, and the surrounding regions.

Current School Closings and Delays Status

How to Check Closings on 6 News

WJAC-TV provides several ways to access the “School Watch” list to ensure you aren’t left out in the cold:

The Official Website: Visit the WJAC School Closings page for a searchable database of schools, daycares, and organizations.
The 6 News App: You can download the WJAC app on your smartphone and subscribe to “Breaking News” alerts to get immediate notifications when major districts like Altoona Area or Greater Johnstown announce changes.
The On-Air Ticker: During the “6 News Sunrise” broadcast (weekdays starting at 4:30 AM), closings scroll continuously at the bottom of the screen.

Understanding “School Watch” Alerts

In Pennsylvania, school districts have a variety of ways to handle inclement weather. Here is what the labels on the WJAC ticker typically mean:

2-Hour/3-Hour Delay: School starts later to allow road crews to clear snow or for temperatures to rise. Note that if a delay is called, breakfast is often not served.
FID (Flexible Instruction Day): The physical building is closed, but students are expected to complete assignments online or through pre-packaged materials. This counts as a full school day.
Closed: The school is shut down entirely. This day usually must be made up later in the school year unless it is converted to an FID.
Early Dismissal: Used when weather conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly during the afternoon.

The Decision-Making Process

Superintendents across the Alleghenies typically begin driving local roads as early as 3:30 AM. They consult with the WJAC weather team to determine if visibility, ice, or snow accumulation will make bus travel hazardous. Because of the region’s varied terrain, a school might be closed due to mountain snow even if the valleys are just seeing rain.

Pro-Tip: Many districts now use “Remote Learning” instead of traditional “Snow Days” to avoid extending the school year into late June. Always check if your student needs to log in to a portal by a specific time.

Get the latest school closings, cancellations, and delays. View school closures for Pennsylvania from 6 News. WJAC provides news, weather and sports information for Johnstown, Altoona, State College and DuBois, Pennsylvania.

WJAC-TV, virtual channel 6, is a dual NBC/CW+-affiliated television station licensed to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States and serving West-Central Pennsylvania.-Wikipedia