Roanoke County Public Schools closed all campuses Dec. 5, 8 and 9, 2025, after a multi-day winter storm brought a mix of snow and freezing rain to the region. The back-to-back closures left students, staff and families navigating icy roads and altered academic schedules.

The string of cancellations began after a “Weather Authority Alert” was issued for the Roanoke Valley. Forecasters warned of scattered snow showers and freezing rain that could make travel hazardous. Officials were particularly concerned about midday transitions and late-morning starts, noting that dropping temperatures could turn wet roads into ice, making school bus transportation dangerous for thousands of students.

Assistant Principal Mr. Jablonski emphasized that safety remains the district’s top priority.
“Anytime we have inclement weather — snow, rain or anything else — we have to make sure things are safe,” Jablonski said.

He explained that closures require significant preparation from the facilities crew.
“We have to plow the sidewalks and make sure they are salted so people don’t slip, and also plow the roads because people will be driving here, along with school buses,” he said.

The decision-making process behind school closures is a demanding early-morning operation. Each day, RCPS officials begin monitoring road conditions across six county regions starting at 4 a.m. After reviewing reports from transportation crews and local meteorologists, the superintendent makes a final decision. For the December storm, the call was made by late afternoon on Thursday, Dec. 4, ensuring families were notified before snowfall began the next day.