Cleveland Braces for Subzero Temperatures, Schools and Services Disrupted

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Subzero temperatures and dangerous wind chills gripped the Cleveland area early Thursday, prompting widespread school closures and service delays. The National Weather Service reported temperatures of minus-5 degrees Fahrenheit at 5 a.m., with wind chills making it feel like minus-18 degrees. Conditions were expected to worsen before a slight warming trend later in the morning.

An extreme cold warning remained in effect until 10 a.m., with wind chills potentially dropping to minus-26 degrees in some areas. The frigid conditions forced most school districts in the region, including Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Akron City Schools, to cancel classes for the day. Kent State University canceled in-person morning classes, while Cuyahoga Community College closed entirely. Lorain County Community College delayed its opening by four hours, and Lakeland Community College opened at 10 a.m.

Municipal services were also impacted. Cleveland City Hall delayed trash pickup by one day for the remainder of the week, and several municipal courts, including those in Elyria and Garfield Heights, remained closed. Forecasters warned that despite temperatures rising to the low teens, wind chills would continue to make it feel significantly colder.

Below is a partial list of schools and institutions closed Thursday due to the extreme cold:

– Cleveland Metropolitan School District
– Akron Public Schools
– Kent State University (morning classes canceled)
– Cuyahoga Community College (closed)
– Lorain County Community College (delayed opening)
– Lakeland Community College (opens at 10 a.m.)
– Hiram College (opens at 11:30 a.m.)

Other affected institutions included Agape Christian Academy, Akron Montessori School, and numerous public and private schools across the region. The extreme weather disrupted daily routines for thousands of students, workers, and residents, underscoring the challenges posed by one of the coldest mornings of the season.