Upstate New York is often faced with the challenges of lake effect snow and frigid temperatures during winter. Residents of the area take pride in facing these conditions head-on, sometimes opting to forgo winter gear like gloves and hats, while others embrace the snow for activities like skiing, snowball fights, and sledding. However, extreme cold can prompt even the toughest New Yorkers and local school districts to reconsider their winter routine, leading to school cancellations.
Determining when it is too cold for classes involves careful consideration by each school district in the Rochester region. The Monroe County Department of Public Health provides guidelines to help educators assess whether the weather conditions warrant a closure. In certain circumstances, alternative remote learning days can be instituted.
Typically, local school districts adhere to recommendations from the health department that advocate closing schools when wind chills reach around -25 degrees. Such dangerously low wind chills pose significant risks, particularly if children are inadequately dressed, have to walk long distances to school, or are subject to long waits at bus stops.
Concerns over frostbite are paramount during severe cold spells. In a letter to local school superintendents, Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown, the county’s public health commissioner, emphasized the risks of frostbite, stating it can affect exposed skin within minutes at such extreme temperatures. Specifically, frostbite can occur within 30 minutes at wind chills of -25 degrees and in as little as 10 minutes at -40 degrees.
As winter progresses, the health department frequently hears from parents anxious about their children’s safety in harsh conditions. However, the final decision on school closures during extreme cold remains with the officials of each district, who weigh the risks against the potential for educational disruptions. As communities face the elements, these guidelines serve to ensure the safety and well-being of students during harsh winter weather.