WBAL Baltimore News Latest School Closings and Delays

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As winter weather patterns shift through Maryland, staying informed about school schedules is a top priority for families in the Baltimore metro area. WBAL-TV 11 and WBAL NewsRadio 1090/FM 101.5 serve as the region’s primary sources for real-time school closings, delays, and early dismissals.

Here is everything you need to know about tracking the latest school status updates via WBAL.

Current School Closings and Delays Status

How to Check WBAL School Closings

WBAL provides several digital and broadcast tools to ensure you don’t miss an announcement:

The WBAL-TV 11 “Current Closings” Page: Visit wbaltv.com/closings for a live, searchable database. You can filter by school name, county, or institution type (including private schools and daycares).
The WBAL Mobile App: Available for iOS and Android, the app allows you to sign up for Push Alerts. You can customize these notifications to alert you specifically when your chosen school district makes a change.
WBAL NewsRadio 1090/FM 101.5: For those already on the road, WBAL Radio provides audio updates “on the 10s” (at :10, :20, :30, etc., past the hour) during major weather events.
On-Air Ticker: During WBAL-TV 11 News Today (starting at 4:30 AM), a constant scroll at the bottom of the screen lists all active Maryland closings and delays in alphabetical order.

Understanding Maryland School “Weather Codes”

In Maryland, school districts use specific terminology to describe their operational status. Here is a quick guide:

Term	Impact on Students
2-Hour Delay	School starts 2 hours later than the normal time. Bus pickups are also pushed back by 2 hours. Morning Pre-K is often canceled.
Closed (Traditional Snow Day)	Schools and offices are closed. All after-school and evening activities are canceled.
Virtual Learning Day	Physical buildings are closed, but students are expected to log in for “synchronous” or “asynchronous” instruction. (Check your specific district’s policy on “Snow Day” vs. “Virtual Day”).
Early Dismissal	Schools close 2 or 3 hours earlier than usual. Afternoon Pre-K and all evening activities are typically canceled.

How Decisions are Made

Superintendents in the Baltimore area typically begin their “Weather Watch” as early as 2:30 AM. They coordinate with the WBAL-TV 11 First Alert Weather team, the Maryland State Police, and local Department of Public Works (DPW) officials to assess:

Road Safety: Are main arteries and neighborhood side streets passable for heavy buses?
Safe Walking: Are sidewalks and bus stops clear of ice or deep snow?
The “Hereford Zone”: Baltimore County often makes separate decisions for its northern-most schools where snow totals are frequently higher than in the rest of the county.

Tip for Parents: Always have a “Plan B” for childcare. If a 2-hour delay is announced at 5:30 AM, it can still be upgraded to a full closure by 7:30 AM if road conditions deteriorate.

Get the latest school closings, cancellations, and delays. View school closures for Maryland from WBAL Baltimore News. Get all the latest Baltimore news, weather and sports. WBAL-TV brings you the best in Maryland news online, anytime.