KSFY News Latest School Closings and Delays

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When winter weather or extreme cold sweeps through South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, staying informed on the status of your local school district is critical. KSFY News (part of the Dakota News Now team) provides comprehensive, real-time coverage of school closings, late starts, and early dismissals.

Current School Closings and Delays Status

How to Access the KSFY/Dakota News Now Closing List

KSFY utilizes an automated system that updates the moment a superintendent makes an official call. You can find these updates through the following methods:

The Live Ticker: During morning broadcasts, school names and their statuses scroll across the bottom of your television screen.
The Dakota News Now Website: The Closings and Delays page provides a searchable, alphabetized database of every district in the tri-state area.
Mobile App: Download the Dakota News Now Weather app. You can set up push notifications for specific counties to get instant alerts on your phone.

Common Closing Categories

Superintendents in the KSFY viewing area typically use three primary designations:

Status	Details
Closed	No school. Most districts now utilize “Remote Learning” or “E-Learning” days so that students can continue work via Chromebooks from home.
2-Hour Delay	School and bus pickups start exactly two hours later than normal. No morning preschool or breakfast program is typically offered.
Early Dismissal	Used when a storm moves in mid-day. Notifications usually specify “1 hour early” or “2 hours early” to account for varying building schedules.

Why Decisions Are Made

The decision to close or delay is rarely about snow depth alone. District leaders consult with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls and local street departments, considering several factors:

Wind Chill: In South Dakota, if the wind chill or cold temperature warnings are issued, schools often delay to ensure student safety at bus stops.
Visibility: Strong winds can cause “ground blizzards,” making it impossible for bus drivers to see the road, even if it has been plowed.
Precipitation: Freezing rain or heavy snow that impacts the ability of staff and students to reach the building safely.

Pro Tip: Superintendents aim to make the call by 5:00 AM to give parents enough time to arrange childcare. Notifications are generally sent to families via text or phone between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM.

KSFY-TV, virtual and VHF digital channel 13, is a dual ABC/CW+-affiliated television station licensed to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. The station is owned by Gray Television.-Wikipedia

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