KPAX-TV Latest School Closings and Delays

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Winter in Western Montana brings breathtaking views, but it also brings unpredictable road conditions and extreme wind chills. When the snow piles up in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys, KPAX-TV (MTN News) is the primary resource for families to track school closings and delays.

Current School Closings and Delays Status

How to Check the KPAX-TV Closing List

KPAX provides real-time updates through several high-speed digital and broadcast platforms to ensure parents aren’t caught off guard.

The KPAX “Closings” Dashboard: The most comprehensive list is found at kpax.com/weather/school-closings. The list is organized alphabetically by district and includes private academies and daycare centers.
KPAX Weather App: For those in rural areas with spotty reception, the KPAX Weather app allows you to save your specific location to receive First Alert push notifications the moment a superintendent makes a call.
On-Air Broadcasts: During Montana This Morning (starting at 5:30 AM), the “Closing Ticker” runs continuously at the bottom of the screen.

Understanding Montana Weather Designations

In Western Montana, a “snow day” isn’t always a full closure. Here is what the different labels mean for your morning routine:

Status	Impact on Students
2-Hour Delay	School and bus routes begin exactly two hours later. This is often used to allow snowplows to clear main arteries like Reserve Street or Highway 93.
Closed (Traditional)	No school. Facilities are closed to all students and staff.
Remote Learning Day	Physical buildings are closed, but students are expected to log in for “Google Classroom” or “Teams” sessions.
Buses on Snow Routes	School is open, but buses will only pick up students at designated “hard surface” stops rather than entering unplowed side streets.

How the Decision is Made

The decision to close school is a complex coordination between local superintendents, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), and the KPAX First Alert Weather Team.

The primary factor is often temperature rather than snowfall. In Western Montana, school is frequently cancelled or delayed if the wind chill drops below -20°F, as this poses a significant risk to students waiting at bus stops. Additionally, officials monitor “Pass/No Pass” conditions for rural buses navigating steep or unpaved terrain in the surrounding canyons.

KPAX-TV, virtual channel 8, is a dual CBS/CW+-affiliated television station licensed to Missoula, Montana, United States. Owned by the E. W. Scripps Company.-Wikipedia