WHO TV Channel 13 Latest School Closings and Delays

| | Iowa | No Comments

When severe weather hits Iowa, WHO 13 (WHO-DT) in Des Moines is a primary source for real-time school closing and delay information. Known for its “Weather First” commitment, Channel 13 provides immediate updates for districts across Central Iowa, from West Des Moines to Ames and beyond.

Current School Closings and Delays Status

How to Access the WHO 13 Closing List

WHO 13 offers multiple platforms to ensure parents and staff get the latest information as soon as it is reported by school superintendents.

1. The Online Closing Dashboard

The most reliable way to find your specific school is the WHO 13 Closings Page.

Alphabetical Search: The list is organized alphabetically by the name of the school or organization.
Real-Time Sync: The digital list is updated simultaneously with the on-air broadcast.

2. The WHO 13 Weather App

For those on the go, the WHO 13 Weather App allows you to:

Set push notifications for severe weather alerts in your specific county.
Check the closing list directly from your phone without navigating a web browser.

3. On-Air “Crawl”

During Channel 13 News Today (starting at 4:30 AM), closings and delays will scroll across the bottom of your screen. This “ticker” is the fastest way to see updates while you are getting ready for the day.

Understanding the “Winter Weather” Codes

When you see your district on the list, it will likely be accompanied by one of these standard Iowa status codes:

Status	Impact on Families
2-Hour Delay	School starts 2 hours late. Buses run 2 hours later than usual. No morning preschool.
Closed	No classes. All extracurricular activities and “Beyond the Bell” programs are typically canceled.
Early Dismissal	School ends early (usually 1-2 hours) to get buses off the road before a storm intensifies.

How Decisions Are Made

Decisions to close or delay school in Central Iowa are typically made by 5:45 AM.¹ Superintendents coordinate with the WHO 13 weather team to assess:

Wind Chill: If temperatures are low enough to cause frostbite on exposed skin within 15–30 minutes, a delay or closure is likely.
Road Conditions: Transportation directors often “drive the routes” at 4:00 AM to check for drifting snow or ice.
Visibility: Heavy falling or blowing snow that obscures vision for bus drivers is a high-priority factor.

Get the latest school closings, cancellations, and delays. View school closures for Iowa from WHO TV Channel 13. Channel 13 News is Iowa’s leader for local news, weather, sports and politics.

WHO-DT, virtual and VHF digital channel 13, is an NBC-affiliated television station licensed to Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The station is owned by Nexstar Media Group.-Wikipedia

Latest School Delays and Cancellations News

Latest Iowa School Calendars

Tags:Iowa school closings, WHO TV Channel 13