How Cold Does it Have to Be for Plymouth-Canton Schools to Close?

With frigid cold temperatures and negative wind chills returning to southeastern Michigan this week, some of you may be wondering just how cold does it have to get before schools will close? 

The answer, it seems, is 20 degrees below zero with wind chill or real feel temperature, according to the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools website. 

The cause for concern at 20 degrees below zero is that it takes only 30 minutes for frostbite to set in, according to the district's wind chill chart. 

[View the wind chill chart on the district's website.]

"As we deal with this harsh winter weather, the decision to close school is made using expert information from many sources including a professional meteorologist, local safety officials, neighboring districts, internal maintenance staff, transportation services and by administrators actually going outside and driving the roads," the district wrote on its website. "Student safety is our top priority as we strive to make the very best decision with the information we have. One of the factors we consider is wind chill."

The National Weather Service as issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the rest of the week. 

Wind chills will drip as low as -15 degrees Wednesday night and potentially low as -25 degrees Thursday night as winds increase ahead of a cold front, which may prompt a wind chill advisory on Thursday night. 

Winds are expected to increase ahead of a strong cold front on Friday and again behind the front on Saturday, with gusts near 40 miles per hour both days.

Most Plymouth-Canton Patch readers said they are against having school close just from the cold. They took to our Facebook Page to express their views on the topic.

Jenny Kracht Kroll wrote, "My freshman was unhappy with me since I am against having another snow day for cold. If you can go outside and play all bundled up, then you should be able to go to school all bundled up. Also, Plymouth-Canton clothing bank has warm clothing for those in need and qualify, they need to ask their schools for more information."

Sheryl Wright Rice agreed.

"Coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots...they make them for a reason," she commented. 

Hillary Cargo said she drove her son to the bus stop on Tuesday and kept him in the car until the bus came.

"(It's) too cold for the little ones to wait, even if they are bundled, but not cold enough for a snow day," she wrote.

Plymouth-Canton Educational Park students have short days while they take first semester exams this week, and all students are off school Friday.