Massachusetts school districts close classes Tuesday, February 24, as blizzard cleanup and travel restrictions persist
Classes canceled across multiple communities as storm impacts linger
A large number of Massachusetts school districts have announced closures for Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, as municipal crews continue to clear roads and school properties following a major winter storm that brought heavy snow, strong winds and scattered power outages.
The scope of the shutdown reflects both hazardous travel conditions and the time required to make school grounds safe for buses, walkers and staff. Communities have cited blocked or narrowed roads, downed lines, and the need to open access to sidewalks, crosswalks, drop-off zones and parking areas before resuming normal operations.
Travel limits and road work factor into decisions
State officials imposed a ban on non-essential travel in parts of southeastern Massachusetts as the storm moved through and cleanup began. While conditions vary by region, local leaders across the state have urged residents to stay off the roads where possible so plow crews and emergency vehicles can operate more efficiently.
In Quincy, city officials said plowing operations were slowed by the severity of conditions and downed lines, with priority given to opening roads for emergency access before turning to school-area cleanup. The city also opened a warming center at Quincy High School as outages affected some residents.
District-by-district announcements continue to update
School closure decisions are made locally, and announcements have continued throughout Monday, Feb. 23, ahead of Tuesday’s schedule. District postings and municipal updates describe full-day closures and, in some cases, cancellations of before- and after-school programming and evening activities.
- Randolph Public Schools announced schools will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 24, and said morning and evening activities are canceled.
- Westford Public Schools posted an urgent alert stating there will be no school on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
What families should watch for next
Districts typically evaluate several operational factors in the hours leading up to reopening, including road passability, the condition of sidewalks and crosswalks, accessibility of school buildings, and the readiness of transportation routes and loading zones. Families are also advised to monitor district communications for updates on:
- Whether after-school athletics and evening events resume when classes return
- Any changes to special education transportation and related services
- Potential shifts to planned schedules if cleanup or outages persist
As crews work through continued snow removal, officials have emphasized minimizing unnecessary travel to help speed road clearing and reduce risks during the cleanup period.
Additional closures and operational changes may be announced as conditions evolve across the Commonwealth.