Massachusetts districts begin announcing Monday school closures as blizzard warning forecasts heavy snow and high winds

Closures and delays spread as storm timing targets Monday commute

Public school districts across Massachusetts began announcing Monday closures and schedule changes over the weekend as a major nor’easter approached New England, with the heaviest impacts expected from late Sunday into Monday. The system prompted blizzard warnings for wide sections of eastern Massachusetts, where forecasters projected heavy snowfall, near-whiteout visibility in blowing snow, and damaging wind gusts.

In Worcester, city officials declared a winter weather emergency Saturday afternoon and urged residents to avoid city streets starting late Sunday. Worcester Public Schools said classes would be canceled Monday, Feb. 23, and the city also ordered Monday closures for public library branches, City Hall and the residential drop-off center. Municipal services were expected to be affected as well, including a one-day delay to trash and recycling pickup schedules for the week.

What warnings cover—and why districts act early

In eastern Massachusetts, a blizzard warning was issued for multiple counties from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday morning. Forecasters projected the combination of heavy snow and strong winds could drive visibility below a quarter mile at times, producing dangerous travel conditions and increasing the risk of scattered power outages from snow load and wind impacts on trees and lines.

School leaders typically weigh road safety, the ability of plow crews to keep pace during peak snowfall, and the practicality of morning transportation. Forecasts indicating the most intense conditions overlapping with the Monday morning commute accelerated decisions in some districts, with additional announcements expected as storm confidence and local conditions evolved.

Boston calendar context: students scheduled to return Monday

For Boston Public Schools, Monday, Feb. 23 was listed as the return date from February recess on the district calendar, heightening attention for families planning the first day back. As of Sunday, districts around the region were continuing to update schedules, with closures and delays expected to expand depending on the storm track and snowfall rates.

Attendance rules and make-up day implications

Massachusetts school districts operate under state requirements for student learning time, including a minimum 180-day school year and hour-based learning thresholds. State guidance generally expects weather-related closures through March 31 to be made up by rescheduling full school days, with waivers considered under specific circumstances.

• Families should monitor district communications for closure decisions, remote-learning plans where applicable, and updates to after-school activities and athletics.

• Residents should prepare for potential travel restrictions, parking rules, and service delays announced by local governments during the height of the storm.

With blizzard conditions possible, officials urged residents to limit travel to emergencies and plan for potential power interruptions during peak wind and snowfall.

This story will be updated as additional districts announce closures and municipal emergency measures expand.