


As cold, arctic air from the polar vortex grips the nation this week, Kentucky schools are starting to make preparations for the worst. 

On Tuesday evening, temperatures are expected to dip to a low of 5 degrees, and it could get as low as negative 1 degree on Wednesday night. 

With the wind chill on Wednesday morning, it could feel as cold as negative 10 or 20 degrees in your neighborhood. 

But how cold does it have to get before Jefferson County and other nearby schools districts decide to cancel or delay school? 

School closing list: JCPS schools are closed Wednesday due to 'dangerously cold wind chills'

Turns out, there isn't a specific temperature that school officials have in mind. But officials told the Courier Journal they would be monitoring the weather closely for any changes. 

"There is not a set temperature — we stay in contact with the health department and the National Weather Service to determine appropriate steps," JCPS spokesman Renee Murphy said. 

Read this: Will the polar vortex hit Louisville this week? 

Louisville Metro Public Health Department spokesman Dave Langdon said there are a lot of factors they consider when recommending how safe it is for students to go to school.

The amount of precipitation, if children have proper clothing and how long the cold is supposed to last all play a major role, he said. 

The latest that Jefferson County students would know if school is canceled would be about 4:30 a.m. the day of school. 

But, if conditions are not suitable for school buses, and it is clear that the weather will get worse, then officials may cancel class earlier. 

Oldham County has a similar process.

At 3 a.m., officials from Oldham County Schools check the radar, consult with local meteorologists and drive the roads, according to superintendent Greg Schultz. The team of five drivers is out on the roads by 3:30 a.m. By 5 a.m. they will decide whether to close school.

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For Greater Clark County Schools in Indiana, the district starts considering a delay or closing when the wind chill drops to negative 10 degrees, said spokeswoman Erin Bojorquez. 

But a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Louisville, which makes all decisions regarding Louisville's Catholic schools, said there is no set temperature for when school is closed.

Check this out: Wearing a mask in Louisville is illegal. But what if it's too cold?

The person responsible for canceling school is Leisa Schulz, superintendent of schools, who usually does so early in the morning, archdiocese spokeswoman Cecelia Price said. However, if conditions are severe enough on a weekday evening, the decision could be made the night before. 

The University of Louisville, which occasionally cancels classes due to snow, ice or severe weather, is also keeping an eye on the forecast.

“As a rule, we do NOT close due to cold temperatures alone,” Provost Beth Boehm told the university community in an email this week.

The university decides on weather-related closures or delays only after reviewing the available forecasts and conferring with its police and physical plant departments, Boehm noted. When possible, it announces decisions that affect morning classes by 5:30 a.m. and those affecting evening classes by 3 p.m.

“This is not an exact science, but our goal is to continue to provide an outstanding educational experience while working to ensure everyone’s safety,” she said in her email.


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