Did you know snow days cost the U.S. economy a whopping $700 million each year? From stranded buses on icy roads to power outages plunging classrooms into freezing darkness, winter weather can wreak havoc on schools. Beyond the inconvenience, being unprepared can quickly spiral into a full-blown logistical, operational, and winter weather safety nightmare. 

But here’s the thing: cold weather doesn’t have to win. With the right winter safety preparedness plan, schools can keep students safe, and stay ahead of the storm. Read our in-depth guide to winter safety for schools and all you need to know about how to create a cold weather safety plan that keeps operations running smoothly in the winter.

Winter Safety for Schools: Step-by-Step Guide to Pre-Storm Preparations

Winter weather disrupts school operations on a massive scale each year. The National Weather Service reports that extreme cold and snowstorms contribute to over 1,300 deaths annually—often from transportation mishaps, hypothermia, and icy conditions.

Across the United States, an estimated 17,000 school closures or delays occur annually due to snow, ice, and extreme weather.

Schools are particularly vulnerable, as winter weather affects transportation, campus safety, and overall logistics. A proactive approach to winter weather safety can mitigate these risks, keeping students safe and operations running smoothly. 

Here is a step-by-step guide packed with winter safety tips on how schools can step up their cold weather readiness:

TL;DR: To prepare schools for winter weather, facility managers should inspect facilities, closely monitor weather, establish an emergency response plan, maintain clear communication with parents and prioritize transportation and safety protocols.

Step 1: Inspect and winterize school equipment

Before winter sets in, perform a detailed inspection of the school buildings and prioritize repairs to mitigate potential hazards. Here’s what you should do:

1.1. Conduct a building inspection and vulnerability assessment

Inspect school building roofs for leaks and snow load capacity, and seal windows and doors to prevent drafts and heat loss from heavy snow.

Winter Weather Safety Pro-Tip: Consider heated walkways or rock salt to melt ice ways and address snow accumulation in critical zones.

1.2. Test electrical equipment and smoke detectors

Preventative maintenance steps include:

1. Testing and servicing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide incidents are 50% more likely in colder months.
2. Inspecting backup generators in case of power outages.
3. Cleaning and inspecting heating equipment and chimneys annually.

1.3. Insulate water pipes

Unprotected water pipes can freeze and burst during sudden temperature drops. Insulating pipes helps prevent such scenarios and reduces energy costs. 

1.4. Inspect HVAC systems

A functioning HVAC system is critical for maintaining a warm indoor environment during winter. To ensure reliability:

1. Replace filters to optimize efficiency and air quality.
2. Check thermostats and recalibrate them if needed.
3. Conduct a professional inspection to identify worn components that may fail under strain.

Pro-Tip: Create or download a winterization checklist to streamline the process for facility managers and maintenance teams.

Step 2: Proactive Weather Planning – Monitor Weather Forecasts

Accurately monitoring weather conditions is a cornerstone of effective school safety decision-making in cold weather. Standard news reports are often too generalized for schools’ needs. Based on the weather forecasts, make sure to:

Plan for Early Arrivals: Cold weather often necessitates changes in student drop-off times, as buses or personal vehicles may need to depart earlier to avoid icy roads or traffic delays. To accommodate these adjustments:

• Open School Buildings Earlier: Schools should allow children inside school buildings as early as possible during cold weather, ensuring their safety and comfort.

• Notify Parents Promptly: Use email alerts, text messages, or school apps to inform families of changes to schedules or safety measures.

Pro-Tip: Invest in advanced weather alert systems and set up a weather monitoring station like Perry Weather to stay on top of weather safety concerns.

Step 3: Create a Winter Weather Response Action Plan

All schools need to have a clear, actionable plan that outlines emergency response procedures for closures due to snow, ice, or extreme cold.

• Identify key decision-makers, such as principals or district administrators, and establish a chain of command for emergency communications. 
• Assign responsibilities for assessing on-site weather conditions, communicating updates, and activating emergency protocols.
• Develop contingency plans for remote learning in the event of prolonged closures.

• Train Staff on Winter Weather Hazards: Educate students and staff on winter weather hazards, such as frostbite, hypothermia, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Provide guidance on appropriate first aid measures.
  • Host workshops led by health professionals on recognizing and treating cold-related illnesses.
  • Use carbon monoxide detectors in all heated indoor spaces.

Pro-Tip: Review and update the winter weather response plan annually to ensure it remains effective and addresses potential risks.

Step 4: Communicate Proactively with Parents, Staff, and Students

By keeping all stakeholders informed, schools can mitigate confusion, maintain safety, and build trust. Here’s how to make your communication strategy robust and actionable:

• Invest in a centralized notification system that automates sending mass real-time alerts via text and email. Platforms like Perry Weather streamline communication with instant notifications, so critical information about closures, delays, or severe weather threats reaches everyone at the same time. 
  
• Maintain a Winter Weather Advisory Bulletin: Keep the community informed about anticipated weather impacts and decision criteria for closures or delays. Maintain a “Winter Weather Advisory Bulletin” during winter months, with a short summary of the forecast and its potential impacts on school operations.

Pro-Tip: Use Perry Weather’s customizable weather widgets to keep parents, students, and staff informed about severe weather safety concerns at all times. 

Step 5: Prioritize Transportation Safety Protocols

Schools should have a plan for safely transporting athletic teams during winter weather, considering road conditions and the need for adjustments or cancellations.

• Create a transportation contingency plan: Prepare for icy roads and poor visibility by scheduling delayed starts, early dismissals, or closures when needed. 
  
• Transportation Staff Communication: Equip bus drivers with mobile devices or radios for real-time updates on road conditions and decisions.
  
• Adaptive Scheduling: Incorporate weather-related adjustments into the school calendar ahead of time to minimize disruptions.
  
• Winterize School Buses: Ensure school buses are winterized with proper tire chains, winter tires, and heating systems to maintain optimal performance in adverse weather.
  
  • Tires and Chains: Equip buses with winter tires or chains to improve traction on slippery surfaces.
    
  • Engine Maintenance: Use cold-weather engine oils and antifreeze to keep buses running smoothly in low temperatures.

Safe Driving Practices for Winter Conditions:

Provide seasonal training focused on winter safety driving tips for icy, snowy, or low-visibility conditions.

• Teach bus drivers winter driving safety precautions and best practices on how to handle skids, maximize traction, and navigate in low-visibility conditions.
• Reduce Speed: While driving on snow, roads can become deceptively slick due to black ice, requiring slower speeds to maintain control.
• Maintain Safe Following Distance: Double the typical following distance to account for longer braking times on icy or wet roads.

Winter Safety Pro-Tip: Perry Weather’s road conditions overlay can inform transportation contingency plans in real-time, such as rerouting buses or delaying trips, helping teams plan safer bus routes for students.

How Perry Weather Helps Schools Manage Winter Weather Safety

Perry Weather’s real-time weather monitoring platform takes the stress out of winter storms and puts schools in control. From tracking road conditions in real-time to automated weather alerts, here’s how Perry Weather can help schools manage cold weather conditions with ease:

Map Real-Time Road Conditions

Perry Weather’s road condition overlay lets you keep tabs on road safety in the moment, so you can:

• Plan Safer Routes: Adjust bus schedules, stagger start times, and reduce risks for students and staff.
• Check Current Conditions at a Glance: Monitor for flood zones, black ice, and heavy snow—all in real time.
• Plan Proactively: Use predictive data to prepare for tricky conditions before they hit.

Get Automated Alerts for Severe Weather

No one has time to sift through endless forecasts when winter weather strikes. That’s where Perry Weather’s automated alerts come in handy:

• Tailored to Your Policies: Perry Weather sends policy-based custom alerts for wind chill, temperature drops, or other conditions that matter to your school.
• Time-Saving Efficiency: Alerts are sent automatically, giving your team extra moments to prepare.

Support for School Cancellations and Delays

Perry Weather helps schools customize alerts to align with their policies, ensuring a consistent response to weather risks.

• Informed Decisions: Leverage real-time data to decide on closures or delayed starts.
• Streamlined Messaging: Notify parents, students, and staff seamlessly to eliminate confusion.

Pro-Tip: Consistent, timely updates reduce uncertainty and help your school community feel supported during winter chaos.

Easily Broadcast Information During Emergencies

When every second counts, Perry Weather lets you broadcast critical updates across multiple channels instantly, keeping everyone informed, whether they’re in the classroom or on the bus:

• Mass Notifications: Send updates via text, email, or app notifications.
• Outdoor Warning Systems: Amplify critical alerts with outdoor sirens or strobe lights.

Get 24×7 Expert Meteorological Support

Winter weather doesn’t adhere to a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither does Perry Weather’s support.

• Get round-the-clock access to expert meteorologists who will help your school make the right call, every time, about disruptive weather.
• Get detailed weather forecasts and guidance beyond standard weather alerts, ensuring informed decision-making at any hour.

Historical Weather Data for Long-Term Planning

Winter safety isn’t just about reacting—it’s about preparing for the long haul:

• Analyze historical weather trends to anticipate recurring seasonal challenges.
• Improve safety planning and response protocols for future winter seasons.

Why Choose Perry Weather as your Winter Safety Preparedness partner?

Perry Weather stands out by combining safety and expertise with reliability. Perry Weather partners with schools across the U.S. to monitor winter weather forecasts, including local road conditions, automate alerts, and enable more confident weather-related decision-making. Here’s why schools trust us:

• Most Trusted Road Condition Data: Perry Weather partners with Baron, a leading transportation conditions provider trusted by companies like Verizon and US Fleet Tracking, ensuring road weather data is reliable and precise for major operations. 
  
• The Best Lightning Detection Network in the World: Perry Weather’s Lightning data is sourced from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN), the world’s fastest and most dependable system. Trusted by NASA and the U.S. Coast Guard, it guarantees real-time accuracy and confidence.

Watch how Round Rock ISD stays ahead of severe weather

Perry Weather gives schools the confidence to stay prepared against cold weather risks and make smart, timely weather safety decisions. Optimize your school’s winter weather safety plan, protect your bottom line, and school operations with Perry Weather. Sign up for a free two-week trial today.