Classes across Metro Detroit are dark this morning. Detroit Public Schools is closed, and many nearby districts are closed or delayed after the midweek storm. Roads are slick, visibility is spotty, and morning bus routes are not safe. If you are a parent, a teacher, or a student, here is what matters right now ❄️
What’s closed today and why it matters
It is Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. The heavy Jan. 14 and 15 snowfall left ice on side streets and ramps. Overnight refreeze made intersections dangerous. District alerts began rolling out before dawn. Detroit Public Schools is closed today due to snow and hazardous travel. Several districts across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties are also closed or delayed. Some will shift to late starts. A few may use short virtual check ins.
After school activities may be canceled or moved. Field trips are unlikely to go out today. Watch for a new message from your principal by early afternoon about weekend events.
Roads remain icy this morning. Leave extra time, keep speed low, and do not pass plows. Give buses and salt trucks plenty of room.
Getting to work, keeping work
Snow days hit families and staff at the same time. Hourly school workers may see lost shifts. Pay rules vary by district, so check your HR portal. Bus contractors will reset routes for Monday. Child care centers are filling drop in slots fast. Many offices are moving to remote plans for the day.
If you need to work on site, plan buffers. Health care, manufacturing, logistics, and retail will feel the strain first. Managers should set clear coverage plans by 9 a.m. Parents should ask for flexibility in writing. Most employers will accept a short notice update when schools close.
- Tell your supervisor your availability and commute limits
- Verify PTO or remote options and set a clear status message
- Build a backup ride or carpool plan with a neighbor
- If you must drive, pack boots, gloves, a charger, and a scraper
Keep learning today, even with no bus
A snow day does not have to be a lost day. Students can lock in a simple plan. Set two focused study blocks, 45 to 60 minutes each. Use the first for reading or math. Use the second for writing, science, or a project. If your teacher posted quick online tasks, finish those first. Then go offline to reduce screen fatigue.
High schoolers, use today to move your future forward. Update your resume and save it as a PDF. Draft a short cover letter for a part time job. Visit your college, trade program, or apprenticeship pages and note deadlines. Seniors, check your financial aid tasks and scholarship dates. Practice a three question interview out loud. Record it, listen, and improve.
Try a 90 minute power block. Fifteen minutes to plan, sixty minutes to work, fifteen minutes to review. Reward yourself when you finish.
Parents, keep it simple. Set a start time, a finish time, and a short checklist. A little structure protects tonight’s bedtime and makes Monday smoother.
Where to get fast, verified updates
Check your district website, app, email, and text alerts first. Many districts also push automated calls. Local TV and radio are updating live closure lists throughout the morning. WDIV Local 4 and FOX 2 Detroit are posting rolling updates. If your school is not listed yet, wait for the official message before you assume anything has changed. Bus yards and principals often post noon updates about athletics and weekend events.
Some districts offer meal pickup on closure days, and some move to virtual check ins. Policies differ. Read today’s district alert for details before noon.
Career angle, beyond today
Storm days ripple through the job market. Employers remember who communicates well under stress. Students who use days like this to build skills, even for one hour, stand out later. Parents who keep a simple plan avoid burnout. Educators who post one clear task and one clear update keep students on track. These small habits pay off in spring hiring and in summer internship calls.
Detroit knows winter. We will dig out, and schools will open soon. For now, stay safe, keep work and learning moving, and watch for your district’s next alert by midday.
