Boston Public Schools Reopen After Two Snow Days as Crews Clear Streets and Bus Routes Citywide

Students head back Wednesday after storm closures

Boston Public Schools (BPS) students returned to classrooms on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, following two consecutive snow days triggered by a major winter storm that left Boston with about 23 inches of snow. The closures were part of a broader regional disruption, with multiple Massachusetts districts also resuming in-person learning midweek.

City officials emphasized that reopening schools depends not only on building readiness, but also on the ability to move students safely through narrowed streets and across intersections where snowbanks can restrict visibility. With bus transportation and walking routes central to daily operations, snow clearance became a critical factor in the decision to resume classes.

Overnight work focused on intersections, access routes, and safety

In the lead-up to Wednesday’s reopening, Boston’s Public Works operations coordinated with BPS to improve access along key routes, including areas where snowbanks reduced roadway width. Crews worked overnight to remove snow and widen space at intersections to address visibility concerns for drivers and pedestrians.

Challenges were most apparent in older, denser neighborhoods where streets are already narrow in normal conditions. City officials warned that snow removal remains an ongoing process and that some roads may stay constricted as crews continue moving accumulated snow from curbs and corners.

Snow emergency measures framed the city’s response

Boston entered the storm period under a snow emergency and parking ban that began Sunday morning, January 25. The city also announced that all BPS schools and central offices would be closed on Monday, January 26, citing the anticipated storm impacts and travel conditions.

City guidance during the reopening stressed caution and additional travel time, particularly at intersections where snowbanks can create blind spots. Officials also urged residents to prioritize safety as cleanup continues and as additional winter weather remained possible later in the week.

What families should watch as cleanup continues

• Morning commutes may be slower than usual due to narrowed streets and ongoing plowing and hauling operations.
• Visibility at corners and crosswalks can remain limited where snowbanks persist.
• Bus routing and stop access can be affected by curbside snow accumulation even after plowing.

With students returning, officials urged residents to leave extra time and use caution, especially at intersections where snowbanks may affect visibility.

For BPS families, Wednesday’s return marked a shift from emergency storm response to an extended recovery phase, as municipal crews continue the slower work of clearing, relocating, and managing large snow volumes across Boston’s streetscape.