School Closings, Delays, and Health Alerts Today (March 16, 2026)

📢 Important News & Notices

• ⚠️ SEVERE WEATHER ALERT (Virginia/Mid-Atlantic): A strong cold front is moving through the region today, triggering widespread Early Dismissals and closures. The National Weather Service has warned of strong-to-severe thunderstorms and potential tornadoes for the afternoon hours.

• 🌨️ BLIZZARD WARNING (Wisconsin): A major winter storm has triggered a Blizzard Warning for Southeast Wisconsin. Widespread closures are in effect as the system brings heavy snow and high winds through Monday evening.

• 🇨🇦 MARCH BREAK BEGINS (Canada): Most public school boards in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are officially closed this week (March 16–20) for March Break. British Columbia begins a two-week break today.

• 🪧 LABOR DISPUTE (California): The “We Can’t Wait” campaign continues to impact the West Coast. While many districts reached last-minute deals, rolling strikes and rallies are scheduled in Sacramento and select Northern California regions today.

Minnesota (major blizzard impact – many full closures)

Hundreds of districts affected in southern and central MN plus western WI border areas. Most are fully closed or on e-learning/virtual/flexible learning days. Examples include:

Closed (full day, no in-person):

• Blooming Prairie Public Schools (virtual learning only)
• Byron Public Schools (virtual learning)
• Chatfield Public Schools (no activities)
• Dover-Eyota Public Schools
• Fillmore Central Public Schools (SAC & daycare closed)
• Goodhue Public Schools
• Grand Meadow Public Schools (no daycare)
• Hayfield Community Schools (SACC closed)
• Hiawatha Valley Education District (Winona)
• Hope Lutheran High School (Winona)
• Houston Public Schools (no after-school)
• Immanuel Lutheran School (Plainview)
• Lanesboro Public Schools
• LeRoy-Ostrander Public Schools
• Lewiston-Altura Public Schools (Cardinal Club open, no activities)
• Lyle Public School (e-learning day)
• Mabel-Canton Public Schools
• Mountain Lake
• Owatonna Public Schools (e-learning)
• Pine Island Public Schools (e-learning, no childcare/activities)
• Plainview-Elgin-Millville (e-learning, Kidz Club closed)
• Ridgeway Community School (no childcare)
• Riverway Learning Community
• Rochester Beacon Academy
• Rochester Catholic Schools (preschool & extended care closed)
• Rochester Central Lutheran School
• Rochester Montessori School (studio programs canceled)
• Rochester Public Schools (full district closure)
• Rollingstone Community School
• Rushford-Peterson Public Schools
• Schaeffer Academy (Rochester – all K-12 & extracurriculars canceled)
• Spring Grove Public Schools
• St. Charles Public Schools (no preschool)
• St. Croix Central (WI)
• St. Johns Lutheran School (Wykoff – no Eagle Care)
• Stewartville Public Schools (FLD day)
• Triton Public Schools
• Winona Area Public Schools (Key Kids closed)
• Zumbro Education District
• Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools (WILD day, no Cougar Care) (and many more – full regional lists exceed 50+ districts)

E-learning / virtual / flexible learning day (no in-person): Belle Plaine, Blue Earth Area, Cedar Mountain, Ellsworth (WI), Farmington Area, Lake City, New Richmond (WI), Sleepy Eye, etc.

Delayed start: Wheaton Area (2-hour delay).

Colleges/Universities closed or changed: Dakota County Technical College, Inver Hills CC, Minnesota State College Southeast (Red Wing/Winona), Riverland CC (all campuses) closed; Minnesota State University Mankato, South Central College on e-learning; Minnesota West CTC delayed to 10 a.m.

Wisconsin (Southeast – blizzard warnings)

Dozens of districts closed or partially virtual:

Closed (or remote/virtual for some grades): Milwaukee Public Schools, Madison Metropolitan, Cudahy, DeForest Area, Delavan-Darien, Dodgeland, East Troy, Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah, Elkhorn Area, Elmbrook, Fond du Lac, Fox Point-Bayside, Glendale-River Hills, Grafton (elementary closed; middle/high virtual), Green Bay Area, Greendale, Greenfield (high school virtual), Hamilton (high virtual), Hartford Joint #1, Hartland Lakeside, Holy Hill Area, Howard-Suamico, Janesville, Jefferson, Kenosha Unified, Kettle Moraine, Kewaskum, Kohler (middle/high virtual), Lake Country, Lake Geneva (high virtual), Maple Dale-Indian Hill, Mequon-Thiensville, Muskego-Norway, New Berlin, Oak Creek-Franklin, Oshkosh Area (middle/high digital learning), Pewaukee (middle/high virtual), Port Washington-Saukville, Pulaski, Racine Unified, Randall Consolidated, Random Lake, Reedsville, Richland (7-12 virtual), Salem, Sharon Community, Sheboygan Area (packets/virtual instruction), Shorewood, South Milwaukee, St. Croix, St. Francis, Sturgeon Bay, Waterford Graded, Waterloo, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, West Allis-West Milwaukee, Whitefish Bay, Whitewater Unified, Whitnall, Yorkville JT #2, and many more.

North Carolina (severe weather threat – widespread closures)

Multiple districts closed or remote:

Closed: Alamance-Burlington, Asheboro City, Brunswick County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg (CMS – instructional day waived), Craven County, Davidson County, Guilford County, New Hanover County (remote learning day in some reports), Randolph County, Rockingham County, Stokes County, Surry County, Washington County, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, plus Classical Charter Schools (Wilmington/Leland/etc.). Early dismissal: Tyrrell County (3-hour early, noon dismissal).

Georgia (severe weather – mixed closures/remote)

Closed: Houston County Schools, Dooly County Schools, Cirrus Academy Charter School, Oconee Fall Line Technical College. Asynchronous / remote learning: Bibb County Schools (K-5 specific activities; 6-12 Canvas), Baldwin County Schools, Twiggs County Schools. Delayed: Albany Technical College (10 a.m.), Georgia Military College (main & prep 10:30 a.m.), Middle Georgia State University (10 a.m.), Academy for Classical Education (10 a.m.), Tattnall (until 10 a.m.).

Alabama (severe weather – mostly delays)

2-hour delays: Cullman County Schools, Cullman City Schools, Gadsden City Schools, Fayette County Schools, DeKalb County Schools (incl. Fort Payne City & Cornerstone Christian Academy), Jackson County Schools (incl. Scottsboro City), Marshall County (incl. Albertville & Guntersville City), Morgan County (Hartselle City). Delayed opening: Wallace State Community College (10 a.m.).

Virginia / DMV area (severe weather – some closings + early dismissals)

Full closures: Fredericksburg City Public Schools. Early dismissals / half-day: Prince George’s (MD) 2 hrs early, Charles County 2 hrs early, Anne Arundel 2 hrs early, Albemarle County (half-day for students, offices close 2 p.m.), plus several private schools and programs closing early (e.g., 1-1:30 p.m.). Other districts like Amelia, Appomattox, and Buckingham Counties reported closed in earlier updates.

🚌 Transportation & Bus Summary

United States:

• Virginia & Carolinas: High-priority Early Dismissal schedules are active. Most afternoon preschool and “Late Activity” buses are cancelled to ensure students are home before the severe storm front arrives.

• Wisconsin: Bus service is suspended in Milwaukee and surrounding counties due to blizzard conditions and zero visibility.

• Pacific Northwest: Heavy rain and localized flooding in western Washington are causing minor delays on rural routes.

Canada:

• Ontario/Maritimes: Most yellow bus service is suspended for the week due to the scheduled March Break.

• Quebec: Schools are back in session following their break; bus service is running on regular winter schedules.

🏛️ Major District Status Table

🌡️ National Health & Safety Forecast

Current Status: ELEVATED

• Pediatric Influenza: The CDC reports that Pediatric Flu severity is currently classified as HIGH. Influenza B activity is increasing nationally, with children under 18 seeing the highest hospitalization rates of the season.

• Norovirus Outbreak: Activity remains within the middle 50% of the seasonal norm, but elevated clusters are being reported in Northeast daycare networks.

• Atmospheric Hazard: Enhanced Risk (Level 3/5) for severe weather in the Mid-Atlantic. Parents should monitor local sirens as “flash” tornadoes are possible during the school release window.

🚨 Parent Action Item

Emergency Release Prep: For families in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic, confirm your “Storm Plan” immediately. Ensure your child knows where to go if they are dismissed 3 hours early and verify that your emergency contact is available for pickup.