Good evening everyone. Attached is the FINAL Prediction for January 5, 2018.

We have a very interesting situation setting up wind chill-wise. Monroe County is under a Wind Chill Warning, calling for -25*F wind chill values. Historically, values need to get to -30/-35 before closings become more likely. I may be stubborn, but this is why I am still in favor of delays rather than closings.

However, there remains valid arguments for closings. There is the possibility for blowing snow (from today’s accumulations); but more importantly, there is the consideration of the effectiveness of a delay. Wind chill values are not going to improve much during the day on Friday — the -15 to -25 wind chill values during the regular morning bus runs will be less above, if not equal to, the wind chill values for hypothetical delay bus runs. This factor is what deviates from similar past events when most schools delays along with a few isolated closings. In this scenario, it may be a mixed bag.

Schools throughout NE PA and NW NJ are beginning to make delay and closing decisions — I would not be surprised if local schools make a decision tonight. Regardless of what announcements are made, please bundle up appropriately for the weather. Have a good evening and pay attention to your local school sources.