Freezing Rain/Sleet and Dense Fog
The most unpredictable weather variables are freezing rain/sleet and dense fog. Freezing rain/sleet is temperature sensitive and, like dense fog, may be fast occurring; typically, each begins and ends with little notice. When freezing/rain sleet are predicted or when dense fog appears, the decision regarding whether school is delayed, closed, or on a normal schedule will occur at the latest possible time to observe the most current and local conditions.
Snowfall
Snowfall is more predictable than freezing rain/sleet. Because of the variance in actual snowfall when compared to predicted snowfall, the decision regarding school status is not determined until snow accumulation indicates a need for action. Such a decision, except in extreme situations, will generally be made in the morning.
Extreme Snowfall Situations
When snow accumulates to significant levels, or is at such a level with more snowfall predicted, then a decision regarding school delay/closing may be made the previous evening. A significant level is one in which local city, county, or state authorities have communicated directly with us that it is unlikely for streets, roads, or highways to be cleared and passable the following morning.
Extreme Cold (see included chart from the National Weather Service)
- Temperature prediction is increasingly more accurate. NACS uses the hourly temperature predictions for its zip codes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (noaa.gov – we check conditions from both Fort Wayne International and DeKalb County airports). NACS also uses the Wind Chill Chart provided by the National Weather Service (included with these guidelines) showing when frostbite becomes a concern if bare skin is exposed to frigid temperatures for varying amounts of time.
- If the air temperature, as predicted by NOAA, is expected to be –10 degrees Fahrenheit or colder at 6:30 a.m., then a two-hour delay may be considered in order to ensure that all buses start and do not experience mechanical difficulties. If the air temperature remains at –10 degrees Fahrenheit or colder at 8:30 a.m., then school may be closed depending on how our buses are responding mechanically. Such a determination will be made as early as possible, including the possibility of making and reporting such a determination the previous evening.
Extreme Wind Chill (see included chart from the National Weather Service)
Wind chill predictions are not as accurate as temperature predictions because of the additional variable of wind speed and the variances in wind speed by time and location. While NOAA observations and predictions that we receive are based upon the open conditions at Fort Wayne International and DeKalb County airports, these conditions can vary from actual conditions within the district. Wind chills in areas that are protected from the open winds, such as conditions typically seen in areas with many building structures, like a subdivision, have actual wind chill temperatures less than what is reported in the open conditions present at each of the referenced airports. Local observations will affect the decision regarding delaying or closing school.
Based on the Wind Chill Chart provided by NOAA and the National Weather Service, concerns emerge when wind chill temperatures are at or near –20 degrees Fahrenheit with 30 minutes or more of exposure. Since our walking zones are less than 30 minutes, with nearly all being less than 15 minutes, wind chills warmer than –20 degrees Fahrenheit will typically result in remaining on time or open. Wind chill temperatures consistently colder than –30 degrees Fahrenheit we will likely result in a delay or closure. When wind chills are between these two extremes, then the decision will be made as late as possible to gather as much information as possible about local conditions.
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