Florida school closures due to winter storm: See the list

Some areas of Florida are facing an unusual winter system, bringing snow to some areas as it moves across the state.

In preparation for the winter weather, school districts, colleges, and universities have closed their doors ahead of the system's arrival. 

Florida school district closures

Closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22:

  • Alachua County Schools
  • Baker County Schools
  • Bay County Schools
  • Bradford County Schools
  • Calhoun County Schools
  • Columbia County Schools
  • Dixie County Schools
  • Duval County Schools
  • Escambia County Schools
  • Florida A&M University DRS
  • Franklin County Schools
  • Gadsden County Schools
  • Gilchrist County Schools
  • Gulf County Schools
  • Hamilton County Schools
  • Holmes County Schools
  • Jackson County Schools
  • Jefferson County Schools
  • Lafayette County Schools
  • Liberty County Schools
  • Leon County Schools
  • Levy County Schools
  • Madison County Schools
  • Nassau County Schools
  • Okaloosa County Schools
  • Santa Rosa County Schools
  • Suwannee County Schools
  • Taylor County Schools
  • Wakulla County Schools
  • Walton County Schools
  • Washington County Schools

Closed on Thursday, Jan. 23:

  • Madison County Schools

Florida college, university closures

Closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22:

  • Florida A&M University
  • Florida State University
  • University of Florida (opening at 12:30 p.m.)
  • University of North Florida
  • University of West Florida
  • Chipola College
  • Florida Gateway College
  • Florida State College at Jacksonville
  • Gulf Coast State College
  • North Florida College
  • Northwest Florida State College
  • Pensacola State College
  • Santa Fe College
  • Tallahassee State College

DeSantis issues state of emergency in Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the state of Florida ahead of the major winter storm moves across the southeast.

The state of emergency allows DeSantis and the Department of Emergency Management to access additional resources, equipment, and funding to assist with an emergency. It effectively removes some of the red tape needed to access those resources – and in Florida, it is most commonly declared ahead of major tropical storms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.

What they're saying:

Will it snow in Florida?

What we know:

As a storm system in the Gulf of Mexico moves eastbound and encounters Arctic air, snow will overspread parts of the Florida Panhandle. 

The FOX 35 Storm Team said snow will mainly fall across Florida’s Panhandle, stretching east to around Jacksonville. The farther east you are, the more likely you’ll see sleet and freezing rain, which will reduce snowfall amounts. 

How much snow will fall in Florida?

The far western Florida Panhandle is where the highest snowfall totals are projected to fall. Some areas could see up to 8 inches of snow, which would cause serious travel issues.

In the northern parts of the state, snow totals will be around one to two inches due to mixing. This happens because warmer air above the ground allows that snow to mix with and change over to freezing rain and sleet.

The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Department of Education and the FOX 35 Storm Team. 

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