WPXI Latest School Closings and Delays

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Staying updated on school status in Western Pennsylvania is a morning ritual during the winter months. WPXI Severe Weather Team 11 is the primary source for real-time school closings and delays across Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties.

Current School Closings and Delays Status

How to Check the WPXI Closing List

WPXI offers multiple digital and broadcast tools to ensure you aren’t caught off guard by a sudden change in schedule:

Online Closing Dashboard: The most comprehensive resource is the WPXI Closings & Delays page. This searchable database is updated the moment a superintendent logs a change into the system.
WPXI News App: Download the app and enable Severe Weather Alerts. You can customize notifications to receive a push alert specifically when school status changes are announced.
On-Air Ticker: During Channel 11 News (beginning at 4:30 AM), a constant scroll at the bottom of your screen provides an alphabetical list of all active delays and cancellations.
Social Media: Follow the WPXI Twitter (X) and Facebook pages, where the station frequently posts lists of widespread closings during major snow events.

Key Terms to Know

In Western PA, schools use specific terminology to describe their status:

Status	Instruction Style
2-Hour Delay	School and bus pickups start exactly 2 hours late. Breakfast is typically not served.
Closed (Traditional)	All buildings are shut. No remote work is required; this day is usually made up later in the year.
FID / Remote Learning Day	Buildings are closed, but students must log on for a Flexible Instruction Day. Attendance is taken virtually.
Early Dismissal	Students are sent home early (often between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM) to beat incoming afternoon storms.

How the “Call” is Made

Decisions are typically made through a collaboration between the Severe Weather Team 11 meteorologists and local school superintendents.

Timeline: Most districts aim to make a final decision by 5:30 AM. If a storm is predictable, some districts may announce a “2-Hour Delay” the night before (around 10:00 PM) to give parents more lead time.
The “Secondary Road” Factor: Even if the Parkway or I-79 are clear, buses often cannot navigate the steep, narrow hills of neighborhoods like Mt. Washington or the rural backroads of Butler and Washington counties. If those roads are iced over, a delay or closure is likely.

Pro Tip: Always have a backup childcare plan ready. In Pittsburgh, a “Delay” can be upgraded to a “Closing” within 30 minutes if road conditions deteriorate faster than expected.

Get the latest school closings, cancellations, and delays. View school closures for Pennsylvania from WPXI. Local breaking news, severe weather, sports and traffic coverage.

WPXI, virtual channel 11, is an NBC-affiliated television station licensed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The station is owned by Atlanta-based Cox Media Group.-Wikipedia