School Closings Tuesday, January 27: Austin ISD and Houston ISD Reopen, While Dallas ISD, Plano ISD, and Fort Worth ISD Stay Closed After Texas Ice

A split map is emerging across Texas after the latest round of winter weather: many districts canceled classes on Monday, January 26, 2026 (ET), and some are extending closures into Tuesday, January 27, 2026 (ET) as refreezing and untreated roads keep travel risky—especially in areas that saw heavier snow and lingering ice.

For families asking, “Are schools closed tomorrow?” the answer depends on which date and which district you mean. In many places, Tuesday is the decision day: some systems are reopening, while others remain shut for a second consecutive day.

Closings and delays: where major districts stand for Monday and Tuesday

Here’s the status for several of the most-searched districts:

Austin ISD (AISD)

• Monday, Jan. 26 (ET): Closed

• Tuesday, Jan. 27 (ET): Reopening on a regular schedule

Leander ISD

• Monday, Jan. 26 (ET): Closed

• Tuesday, Jan. 27 (ET): Reopening on a regular schedule

Dallas ISD (DISD)

• Monday, Jan. 26 (ET): Closed

• Tuesday, Jan. 27 (ET): Closed

Plano ISD

• Monday, Jan. 26 (ET): Closed

• Tuesday, Jan. 27 (ET): Closed

Fort Worth ISD (FWISD)

• Monday, Jan. 26 (ET): Closed

• Tuesday, Jan. 27 (ET): Closed

Houston ISD (HISD)

• Monday, Jan. 26 (ET): Closed

• Tuesday, Jan. 27 (ET): Reopening with normal operations

In Central Texas, the picture is mixed. While Austin ISD and Leander ISD are reopening Tuesday, several nearby districts are closed Tuesday as well—driven by pockets of ice, refreezing overnight, and neighborhood street conditions that may not match what main highways look like.

What’s new and why now: the “refreeze problem” is calling the shots

The biggest misunderstanding in weather-related closures is assuming the decision is only about what’s falling from the sky today. In reality, school operations are often disrupted after the precipitation ends.

Even when the sun comes out, districts face:

• Overnight refreezing that turns meltwater into black ice by morning commute

• Uneven plowing (main roads improve first; bus routes and subdivision streets often lag)

• Sidewalks and bus stops that remain slick or snow-packed

• Extreme cold exposure for students waiting outside, especially for early routes

That’s why Tuesday closures can happen even when Tuesday’s forecast looks “better” than Monday’s.

Behind the headline: why one city reopens and another shuts down

This isn’t just meteorology—it’s logistics and risk management.

Transportation is the hard constraint. A district can heat buildings and staff campuses, but it can’t safely operate if buses can’t navigate neighborhoods, if students can’t walk without slipping, or if staffing becomes unreliable due to hazardous commuting.

District size changes the math. Large systems like Dallas ISD, Plano ISD, and Fort Worth ISD have sprawling attendance zones, thousands of buses and routes, and more “weak links” where a small patch of ice can create systemwide risk. Meanwhile, districts that experienced lighter accumulation or faster street clearing can justify reopening sooner.

Decision incentives matter.

• Close too early and you frustrate families who need childcare and meals services.

• Open too early and you risk accidents, injuries, and a loss of public trust that lasts long after the ice melts.

In short: leaders aren’t trying to predict the weather perfectly—they’re trying to predict whether the community can function as a safe transportation network by first bell.

What we still don’t know

Even with many Tuesday decisions finalized, families are still waiting on:

• Wednesday, January 28 (ET) expectations: As of early Tuesday, most major districts have not signaled broad Wednesday closures, but ongoing refreeze risk means some districts may still adjust with delays.

• Makeup-day policies: Some districts will treat closures as traditional “bad weather” days; others may pivot to remote learning depending on local rules and how many days have already been used.

• After-school activities: Even when classes are canceled, districts sometimes reassess athletics or evening events later in the day if roads improve.

What happens next: realistic scenarios for the next 24 hours

1. More districts reopen Wednesday (ET) as crews finish neighborhood clearing and temperatures climb.

2. Localized delays replace full closures—especially where morning refreezing is the main issue.

3. Another closure day in the hardest-hit zones if ice persists on secondary roads and bridges.

4. Activity-by-activity decisions Tuesday afternoon (ET), with some events returning before full academic schedules do.

For families, the practical move is to treat Tuesday as the “pivot point”: if your district reopened Tuesday, Wednesday is likely normal unless conditions deteriorate; if your district stayed closed Tuesday, Wednesday’s call will hinge on whether residential routes and pedestrian paths become consistently safe—not just passable for cars.