Mat-Su Borough School District Closings Today

More About Mat-Su Borough School Closings

What are Bora winds and why are they unique to the Mat-Su?

Bora winds are among the most powerful and locally unique weather events in Alaska. They occur when dense, super-chilled Arctic air that has pooled over the Yukon and northern Alaska gets drawn south through the Matanuska River valley by low pressure systems in the Gulf of Alaska. As the air accelerates through the narrow valley, gusts can exceed 80 to 100 mph at Palmer Airport — enough to overturn vehicles, collapse structures, and take out power lines across the Mat-Su Borough. Bora events can develop rapidly overnight and are a primary reason MSBSD may close schools when ASD in Anchorage stays open.

Does MSBSD ever close only part of the district?

Yes — MSBSD covers a very large area from the lower Matanuska Valley (Palmer, Wasilla, Big Lake) to the Susitna Valley (Willow, Talkeetna, Trapper Creek). The district operates sub-regions, and Region 4 (Susitna Valley) schools are sometimes placed on a 2-hour delay or closed while Palmer and Wasilla schools remain open on a normal schedule. This often happens when heavy snowfall hits the upper Parks Highway corridor more severely than the lower valley. This page flags any regional closure or delay it detects from official MSBSD sources.

Which news stations cover Mat-Su school closings?

Alaska’s News Source (KTUU NBC2 and KAUU CBS5) is the primary statewide TV station covering MSBSD closings, along with Your Alaska Link (KYUR ABC13) and Alaska Public Media. The Mat-Su Frontiersman and Mat-Su Sentinel are the primary local newspapers covering the borough. This page monitors all of these sources automatically alongside the official MSBSD closures page.

Why might Mat-Su schools close when Anchorage schools stay open?

The Matanuska Valley and Anchorage can experience dramatically different weather simultaneously. Bora wind events are the most common example — gusts of 80+ mph in Palmer while Anchorage sees only light wind. Freezing rain is another: weather systems from the north sometimes ice over the Glenn Highway and Mat-Su side roads while Anchorage receives plain rain. Additionally, deep cold Arctic air from the Interior can settle into the valley more severely than coastal Anchorage, which is moderated by Cook Inlet temperatures.

How does MSBSD notify families about school closings?

MSBSD posts closures and delays at matsuk12.us/delaysandclosures, notifies enrolled families via its automated messaging system, and shares updates on its official social media channels. Alaska’s News Source, Your Alaska Link, and Alaska Public Media all broadcast closures immediately. The district aims to post decisions as early as possible — ideally before 5:30 AM AKST — so families can arrange childcare and transportation alternatives.