Minnesota is in classic winter-crisis mode as a powerful storm system has triggered dozens of school closings, late starts, and e-learning days across the state, from the Twin Cities exurbs to north-central and southern communities. Districts are racing to balance student safety with instructional time as heavy snow, gusty winds, and dangerous road conditions make Wednesday travel a serious gamble.
A Winter Wallop Shuts Down Classrooms
A strong winter storm rolled through Minnesota, dumping several inches of snow in many areas and creating whiteout conditions in others. Forecasters warned of a sharp line between heavier snow to the north and a messy wintry mix to the south, with
4–7 inches expected north and east of the Twin Cities and
1–3 inches in parts of the southwest metro.
Blowing and drifting snow, paired with falling temperatures and slick rural highways, pushed many superintendents to call it early.
According to
Minnesota Public Radio News, multiple districts
closed schools entirely on Wednesday, Dec. 10, citing hazardous roads and snow emergencies across parts of the state.
Where Schools Are Closed or Delayed
Several regions have been especially hard hit, leading to a patchwork of responses:
Southern & Southeastern Minnesota
MPR News reports a long list of
fully closed districts for Wednesday, including:
-
Austin-
Cannon Falls Area-
Chatfield-
Chisago Lakes-
Cleveland-
CrookstonThese closures come as plows struggle to keep up and side roads, hills, and rural routes remain icy and snow-packed.
Local outlets are echoing the disruption. In Northfield’s region, KYMN Radio notes that
Cannon Falls Schools opted for at least a
two-hour late start, warning families that a full cancellation was still on the table depending on road conditions.
Nearby,
Faribault Public Schools also moved to a
two-hour late start due to slick roads and ongoing snowfall. Officials there are watching conditions closely as winds pick up and visibility drops on country roads.
Twin Cities and Surrounding Areas
In the Twin Cities metro and nearby communities, the response is more mixed.
WCCO’s NEXT Weather team issued a
weather alert as snow pushed into the metro Tuesday afternoon, with a wintry mix south of I-94 and heavier snow bands to the north and east. That led to a growing list of:
-
Full closures-
Late starts-
E-learning days for some districts on Tuesday and Wednesday
Bring Me The News reports that a number of school districts announced
delayed starts and e-learning days for Wednesday, Dec. 10, using online instruction to avoid losing a full day of learning while buses stay off the roads. While the full list is evolving, the outlet notes that schools across multiple regions are adjusting schedules in response to the storm.
North-Central Minnesota: Schools and Businesses Hit
In
north-central Minnesota, the storm shut down more than just schools. Lakeland PBS reports that a winter storm forced
schools and businesses to close or start late across the area, affecting communities in the Lakeland viewing region.
Several districts in that region moved to:
-
Full closures-
Late starts- Weather-related changes for Thursday, Dec. 10, as the system continued to impact travel.
Why This Storm Is So Disruptive
This isn’t just a “little snow” situation. Meteorologists say the combination of
heavy snow, gusty winds, and plunging temperatures is what makes this storm especially disruptive.
Key factors driving the closures:
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Treacherous travel: Blowing snow and slick pavement are creating poor visibility and dangerous driving conditions, especially in western, southern, and rural parts of the state.
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Wind chills dropping fast: After the snow, temperatures are expected to fall into the
20s, with single-digit highs and
subzero wind chills later in the week.
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Icy backroads: Districts consistently point to rural routes, gravel roads, and hilly areas as too risky for full-size buses and teen drivers in the early morning hours.
In short: even if main highways are plowed, the “last mile” to school can be the deal-breaker.
How Districts Are Adapting: Closures, Late Starts, and E-Learning
Minnesota schools are deploying a familiar winter toolkit to get through the week:
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Full closures when roads are simply unsafe, especially outside metro areas
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Two-hour late starts to give plows more time and allow daylight to improve visibility
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E-learning days, where students log on from home instead of losing an entire day to the storm
Bring Me The News notes that several districts have already shifted to e-learning for Wednesday to avoid falling behind on curriculum while still keeping buses off icy roads.
From a parent’s perspective, that means waking up to:
- Early-morning robocalls
- Emails and text alerts
- Local radio and TV scrolling closure lists throughout the morning
What Families Need to Know Right Now
For Minnesota families trying to make sense of it all, here’s the bottom line:
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Check your district directly. Local TV stations, radio, and district websites are all being updated frequently as conditions change.
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Expect last-minute changes. Several districts are starting with delays but are openly warning families they may pivot to full closure if roads don’t improve.
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Plan for multiple days of disruption. With temps dropping and winds picking up, some areas could see
ongoing travel issues beyond the initial storm window.
If you live in or near
Austin, Cannon Falls, Chatfield, Chisago Lakes, Cleveland, Crookston, Faribault, or north-central communities in the Lakeland PBS region, you are either
closed, delayed, or on e-learning as this storm works through.
What This Means Going Forward
This storm is a reminder that, in Minnesota,
winter and school schedules are permanently intertwined.
A few trends stand out:
-
E-learning is here to stay. More districts are leaning on online instruction to reduce the number of traditional “snow days,” especially for midweek storms.
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Transportation drives decisions. Even with modern buildings and reliable heating, the school day lives or dies on whether buses can safely reach every student.
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Communication is getting faster. Local outlets like WCCO, MPR News, KYMN Radio, Bring Me The News, and Lakeland PBS now act as real-time hubs for closures, alongside district apps and social media.
For now, though, it’s simple:
Minnesota winter has arrived, and the school calendar is feeling it.
Sources
1. Some Minnesota schools closed after winter storm blows in. See the latest listings.
2. Snow Storm Alerts & Closings For 12/10/2025 - KYMN Radio
3. Winter storm: School closures, delays, and e-learning days on Wednesday, Dec. 10
4. Snow emergencies and difficult road conditions after winter storm in ...
5. Winter Storm Forces Schools, Businesses To Close in North Central ...
