Michigan shuts the classroom doors today. Snow and ice are the reason, and safety is the call. Early this morning, districts across Michigan’s Thumb and near the Saginaw Bay pulled the plug on buses and buildings. I am confirming closures in Sanilac and Tuscola counties after a burst of winter weather made roads slick and visibility shaky. It is Wednesday, December 10, 2025, and conditions changed fast.
Sanilac County districts are closed today, including Bad Axe, Caseville, Cass City, Deckerville, Harbor Beach, Laker Schools, North Huron, Owendale Gagetown, Ubly, Unionville Sebewaing Area, Verona Mills, and Huron Technical Center. Cass City reports child care remains open. Nearby in Tuscola County, Akron Fairgrove, Caro, Kingston, Mayville, Millington, Reese, Vassar, and the Tuscola Technology Center are also closed. Kingston notes its daycare is closed. These are preemptive decisions to keep students, bus drivers, and families safe.
What is happening on the roads right now
The storm picture is a classic December mix. Bands of lake effect snow have been feeding into mid and northern Michigan. Temperatures are riding near freezing, which is the worst-case zone for black ice. A thin ice glaze formed on untreated routes before daybreak. Then light to moderate snow added a slick layer on top.
Winds are steady, and gusts have pushed loose snow back across plowed lanes. Crews report drifts in open country, especially on east to west roads. Rural bus routes, many on gravel and secondary roads, are the weak link on a morning like this. Even if main highways improve by mid-morning, side roads stay dicey longer.
If you do not need to drive this morning, do not. Give plows time and space. Keep a winter kit in the car if travel is essential.
Why closures are rising this season
This is not a one-off blip. Michigan schools are facing more frequent freeze and thaw swings in early winter. Warmer Great Lakes hold more moisture, which adds juice to snow bands. When temperatures hover around 30 to 33 degrees, we get rain that flips to ice, then to heavy, wet snow. That mix is far harder to manage than a clean, dry snowfall.
District leaders know this pattern well. Superintendents start checking roads by 4 a.m., often in their own trucks. They call transportation leads, talk with county road crews, and compare notes with nearby schools. If bus braking distance is long, if intersections are icy, or if visibility stays low, the call to close comes early. It is a safety-first chain, not a last-minute guess.
There is also new policy context. A law approved in June allows some Northern Michigan districts to forgive up to 15 storm days. That relief recognizes what we are seeing now, longer-lasting ice impacts and repeated closures. Not every district qualifies, so expectations on make-up time still vary.
How districts and families adapt today
Some schools may flip to remote learning for core classes, especially at the middle and high school levels. Others will use the closure as a full snow day. Technology access and power stability matter, so choices differ by district. Transportation teams will use the day to scout routes, clear lots, and salt bus loops.
Families are juggling work and childcare. If you are in a closed district, plan for a midday check-in, since some activities may resume later if conditions improve. Keep kids off the roads and off frozen ponds and ditches. They look solid after a chill night, but early-season ice is thin.
- Check your district’s alerts at mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
- Keep phones charged and weather radios on.
- Clear sidewalks so melt water does not refreeze tonight.
- If you must travel, slow by 10 to 15 miles per hour and add space.
Lay out boots, gloves, and headlamps by the door. Quick exits and safe footing matter when a plow comes by or a power blink hits.
The road ahead
The next 24 hours will ride a fine line. Slight warming may turn snow to slush on pavement, but shaded spots will refreeze tonight. Expect re-freeze patches on bridges and at rural corners early Thursday. Lake effect bands can wobble, so conditions will vary town to town. I will continue to track road treatments, bus yard conditions, and any afternoon activity calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which areas closed schools today?
A: Sanilac County districts, including Bad Axe, Caseville, Cass City, Deckerville, Harbor Beach, Laker, North Huron, Owendale Gagetown, Ubly, Unionville Sebewaing Area, Verona Mills, and Huron Technical Center. In Tuscola County, Akron Fairgrove, Caro, Kingston, Mayville, Millington, Reese, Vassar, and the Tuscola Technology Center are closed.
Q: Will classes move online?
A: Some districts may shift certain classes online. Others will use a traditional snow day. Watch your district’s direct alert for the plan.
Q: How long will hazardous travel last?
A: Main routes should improve by midday if temperatures hold, but rural roads can stay slick into tonight. Expect refreeze at sunset.
Q: Will these days need to be made up?
A: It depends on the district. A recent state law lets some northern districts forgive more storm days. Others still must meet minimum time rules.
Q: What is the main safety risk today?
A: Black ice on untreated roads and bridges. Secondary risks include low visibility in snow bands and drifting in open areas.
Closing thought. Michigan knows winter, but this kind of ice over snow mix is a tough match for buses and morning commutes. Districts made the safe call today. I will update as plows catch up and as schools set plans for tomorrow. Stay warm, stay patient, and let the crews work.
