Waking up to a sheet of ice on your windshield is basically an Iowa rite of passage. But honestly, checking the list of schools closed in Iowa today feels like a high-stakes lottery these days. It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026, and while the weekend usually means we’re safe from the "No School" text alerts, this morning is a bit different.
The wind is howling.
A massive cold front is currently ripping through the state, bringing 45 MPH gusts and wind chills that feel like a slap in the face. If you're in northern or western Iowa, you’ve likely seen the alerts popping up on your phone since 5:00 AM.
Travel is already getting sketchy.
Why We’re Seeing Schools Closed in Iowa Today (And Tomorrow)
Most people think school closures are just about how many inches of snow are on the ground. It’s actually way more complicated than that.
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Superintendents aren't just looking at the snow. They’re looking at "frostbite times." For instance, many districts—including the folks over at Iowa City and Ankeny—have a strict policy: if the wind chill hits a point where skin freezes in 30 minutes or less, the buses aren't running. It’s a safety thing. You can't have a 7-year-old standing at a rural corner in -25 wind chill.
Right now, we are seeing a mix of things happening across the state:
- Scheduled Staff Days: Some districts, like Cedar Rapids and Southeast Polk, already had no school scheduled for tomorrow, January 19, for staff development.
- MLK Day: Since tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, many districts were already set to be closed.
- The Weather Factor: The current "flash freeze" moving through is turning wet roads into skating rinks. Even if it's Sunday, sports practices and "Open Gym" sessions at schools like Mason City are being watched closely.
The Mystery of the "Snow Squall"
Meteorologists like Jim Lee from the National Weather Service in Des Moines have been warning about something called "snow squalls." These aren't your typical day-long blizzards.
They’re fast. They’re violent.
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A squall can drop visibility to zero in about sixty seconds. Because these are so localized—sometimes only a few miles wide—it makes the decision to close schools a total nightmare for administrators. One town might be sunny, while the district five miles over is in a total whiteout.
What Happens to After-School Events?
Normally, when you see a list showing schools closed in Iowa today, it’s a blanket cancellation. But Sunday is tricky.
A lot of people forget that even if classes aren't in session, the buildings are usually buzzing with AAU wrestling or club volleyball. If you’re headed to the Top of Iowa Boys Wrestling Conference in Forest City or the basketball doubleheaders in Lake Mills, keep your eyes on the local radio streams. Most of these events are currently still a "go," but with the wind gusts hitting 40+ MPH, high-profile vehicles (like team vans) are being told to stay off the highway if possible.
How to Get the Real Info Without the Fluff
Don't trust a random Facebook post from three years ago that someone reshared. It happens every time. Someone sees "Des Moines Schools Closed" and doesn't realize the post is from 2023.
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Instead, look at the actual district status pages. Districts like Ankeny or Cedar Rapids usually make the official call by 5:30 AM on school days. Since tomorrow is a holiday for many, the "weather" closures might feel redundant, but for those with Monday classes, the frostbite warnings are the ones to watch.
Check the "frostbite clock." If the 6:00 AM forecast for Monday shows that 30-minute threshold, expect the "No School" or "Late Start" notification to hit your inbox tonight before 9:00 PM.
Actionable Steps for Iowans Right Now
The "wait and see" approach is kinda the only option, but you can be smarter about it.
- Update your Infinite Campus or PowerSchool settings. Make sure your cell phone number is actually listed under "Emergency Alerts" and not just "General."
- Check the Iowa DOT "Track a Plow" app. If the plows in your county are pulled off the road due to visibility, your school is almost certainly going to be closed.
- Keep a "Go Bag" in the car. With wind chills dropping, a 10-minute slide into a ditch becomes a life-threatening situation if you're just wearing a hoodie.
- Verify the date. Before you celebrate a day off, double-check that the "Closings" crawl on the bottom of the TV news actually says "Monday, Jan 19" or "Sunday, Jan 18."
The reality of Iowa winters is that things change in minutes. Stay warm, stay off the ice, and keep the salt handy.