Central Ohio School Closures on Jan. 20 Due to Severe Cold

On January 20, 2026, many schools in central Ohio canceled or delayed classes due to severe cold weather. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a cold weather advisory affecting Franklin, Union, Delaware, Madison, and Licking counties, among others. The advisory was in effect from 7 a.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day until 10 a.m. on January 20.

During the holiday, temperatures dropped to as low as -8 degrees, with wind chills reaching extreme lows of -15 degrees. Forecasts for January 20 predict a high temperature of around 22 degrees but sub-zero wind chill values could persist, dropping as low as -3 degrees. Conditions are expected to improve, with temperatures potentially rising above freezing on January 21.

School Closures and Delays in Central Ohio

Several school districts reported closures and delays, while Columbus City Schools had a scheduled professional development day. Here’s a list of affected schools:

• A+ Children’s Academy – closed
• Berne Union Schools – closed
• Bloom-Carroll Local School District – 2-hour delay
• Buckeye Valley Schools – closed
• Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County – closed
• Columbus Bilingual Academy North – closed
• Columbus Bilingual West – closed
• Cornerstone Academy – closed
• Delaware Area Career Center – closed
• Delaware City Schools – closed
• Eagle Wings Academy – closed
• Fairbanks Local School District – 2-hour delay
• Fairfield Union Local Schools – closed
• Graham Elementary and Middle School – closed
• Granville Christian Academy – closed
• Granville Exempted Village Schools – 2-hour delay
• Harvest Prep School – closed
• Heath City Schools – closed
• Horizon Science Academy (all levels) – closed
• Jefferson Local Schools – 2-hour delay
• Jonathan Alder Schools – 2-hour delay
• Kids Care Elementary School – closed
• Lakewood Local Schools – closed
• Liberty Christian Academy – closed
• Liberty Union-Thurston Local Schools – closed
• Licking Heights Local Schools – 2-hour delay
• Licking Valley Local Schools – closed
• Madison Christian School – closed
• Marysville Ex Village Schools – 2-hour delay
• Newark Catholic High School – closed
• Newark City Schools – closed
• Noble Academy Columbus – closed
• North Fork Local Schools – closed
• Northridge Local Schools – closed
• North Union School District – 2-hour delay
• South Columbus Preparatory Academy and German Village – closed
• Southwest Licking Schools – closed
• St. Frances de Sales Elementary – closed
• The Charles School at ODU – closed
• The Learning Spectrum (Johnstown) – closed

Upcoming Weather Forecast for Central Ohio

Forecasts indicate fluctuating temperatures throughout the week. Here’s an overview of the expected weather:

Residents are advised to stay informed about weather updates and exercise caution on the roads as severe cold persists.