The first snowfall of the year has brought some challenges for schools in central Pennsylvania. Many districts have announced delays or closures for Wednesday, January 17, 2024, due to the icy road conditions and the ongoing cleanup efforts. Here are some of the latest updates on the school situation in the region.
The Harrisburg School District has decided to delay the opening of all schools and offices by two hours on Wednesday, citing the safety of students and staff as the main reason. The district said that buses will run on a two-hour delay schedule and that breakfast and lunch will be served as usual. The district also reminded parents and guardians to dress their children warmly and to check the district’s website and social media for any further updates.
Cumberland Valley School District cancels classes for Wednesday
The Cumberland Valley School District has announced that all classes and activities for Wednesday are canceled due to the winter storm. The district said that the decision was made after consulting with local authorities and assessing the road conditions. The district also said that it will use one of its three built-in snow days for the cancellation and that the school calendar will not be affected. The district asked parents and students to stay safe and to monitor the district’s communication channels for more information.
Other school districts in the area also affected by the storm
The winter storm has also impacted other school districts in central Pennsylvania, with many of them opting for delays or closures. Here is a list of some of the districts that have announced changes to their schedules for Wednesday:
- Carlisle Area School District: Two-hour delay
- Derry Township School District: Two-hour delay
- East Pennsboro Area School District: Two-hour delay
- Mechanicsburg Area School District: Two-hour delay
- Middletown Area School District: Two-hour delay
- Palmyra Area School District: Two-hour delay
- Susquehanna Township School District: Two-hour delay
- West Shore School District: Two-hour delay
- Camp Hill School District: Closed
- Central Dauphin School District: Closed
- Lower Dauphin School District: Closed
- Northern York County School District: Closed
- South Middleton School District: Closed
- Steelton-Highspire School District: Closed
Winter storm brought up to 8 inches of snow to central Pa.
The winter storm that hit central Pennsylvania on Saturday, January 6, 2024, was the first significant snowfall of the year for the region. According to the National Weather Service, the storm dumped up to 8 inches of snow in some areas, with Harrisburg receiving 5 inches, State College receiving 4.5 inches, and York receiving 3 inches. The storm also caused power outages, traffic accidents, and travel disruptions across the state. The storm ended a record-breaking snow drought for some locations, such as Harrisburg and State College, which had not seen measurable snow for more than 340 days.
More weather challenges ahead for central Pa.
The winter storm may be over, but central Pennsylvania is not out of the woods yet when it comes to weather challenges. According to AccuWeather, another storm is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the region on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, which could cause flooding and power outages. The rain could also wash away some of the snow and create slushy and slippery conditions. The storm could also be followed by another blast of cold air and snow later in the week, adding to the winter woes of central Pennsylvania.