Arctic Blast Grips Metro Detroit: Schools Closed Tuesday As Wind Chills Plummet Below Zero

DETROIT, MI—The “January Thaw” remains a distant dream for Metro Detroiters. On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, a brutal arctic front has forced dozens of school districts to shutter their doors, effectively turning the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday into a four-day weekend for thousands of local families.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has kept a Winter Weather Advisory in place through Tuesday morning, citing a hazardous mix of subzero wind chills and lingering snow showers that have made morning commutes treacherous.

1. The Deep Freeze: Wind Chills and Snow Squalls

Meteorologists are warning that while the sun might occasionally peek through the clouds, the air remains dangerously cold.

• The Temperature Reality: Highs on Tuesday will struggle to reach 16°F, but the real story is the “feels-like” temperature. Wind gusts of up to 35–40 mph are pushing wind chills down between -5°F and -15°F.
• Ongoing Snow: Scattered snow showers are expected to persist through Tuesday afternoon, with a fresh round of accumulating snow forecast for late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, likely impacting the next morning’s commute.
• Visibility Concerns: NWS officials warn that snow squalls—brief but intense bursts of heavy snow and wind—could drop visibility to near zero on major highways like I-94 and I-69.

2. School Closures: Who is Staying Home?

District leaders began making the call late Monday night as the cold intensified. While some schools have opted for a two-hour delay to allow roads to be salted, many have canceled classes entirely to protect students waiting at bus stops.

Key Closures for Tuesday, Jan 20:

• Major Districts: Monroe Public Schools, Bedford Public Schools, and the Sanilac Special Education district.
• Academies & Private Schools: ABT High, DK’s Childcare Academy, Gesu Elementary, Loyola High, Multicultural Academy, Triumph Academy, and Trix Academy.
• Higher Education: Oakland University has suspended all non-essential events and extracurriculars, though essential staff are still required to report. Monroe County Community College is operating on a two-hour delay.

3. Looking Ahead: Is a Thaw Coming?

The “Polar Vortex” grip will loosen—but only briefly.

• Wednesday Reprieve: Temperatures are expected to climb toward 33°F on Wednesday, providing a slight break from the subzero bite.
• The “Second Wave”: Forecasters are already tracking another arctic surge set to arrive on Friday, which could bring the coldest air of the season so far.

Metro Detroit Weather Outlook (Jan 20–22)