School or no school? When it's this cold, how do school district officials make that decision?
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The arctic air has moved in this week -- and the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an alert for the area, stating that cold temperatures and brisk winds may result in wind chills that could reach between 20 and 34 degrees below zero. A Wind Chill Advisory begins at 12 a.m. Wednesday, January 7th, through 12:00 p.m. Thursday, January 8th. Following this period, there could be additional times from late Thursday night into Saturday morning with bitterly cold wind chills. School officials across southeastern Wisconsin are watching the weather forecast closely in order to determine whether there will be delays or closures. So how are those decisions made?
School, or no school? A lot of families have been watching the forecast closely to see whether school would be called off as dangerously cold air continues to grip southeastern Wisconsin.
On one of Wisconsin's coldest nights, you would think anything with the word "frozen" in its name would be off-limits, but Leon's Frozen Custard was surprisingly busy!
"People still come out!" a Leon's Frozen Custard worker said Tuesday evening.
"It just soothes you. It warms you up. It's definitely better than hot chocolate," a Leon's Frozen Custard customer said.
Maybe the only thing sweeter than this ice cream treat -- a day off school! But that does depend on who you ask.
Sophia and Julia Deangelis couldn't agree.
"I hope we have school tomorrow," one of the girls said.
So how do school districts make the "school or no school decision?"
Milwaukee Public Schools officials say each decision is case-by-case.
Kenosha Unified School District officials say the wind chill must be sustained at 34 degrees below zero, or temperatures must be at or below 20 degrees. On Tuesday evening, Kenosha Unified announced schools will be CLOSED on Wednesday.
Officials with the Mequon-Thiensville School District and in Sheboygan look to the National Weather Service for guidance. Without a Wind Chill Warning, school's in session.
At Leon's -- there is no need to check the forecast.
"Even with the weather, we're always open! It's never too cold for ice cream!" a Leon's Frozen Custard worker said.
A full list of closings is available via FOX6Now.com by CLICKING HERE.