Winter Weather Disrupts Schools in West Texas

This past weekend's ice and freezing temperatures in Midland-Odessa led local school districts to cancel classes and activities, a rare but safety-driven response to hazardous winter conditions across West Texas.

The National Weather Service issued alerts for ice and sub-freezing temperatures, prompting schools to take precautions for roads and student travel.

Several districts in the Midland-Odessa area announced closures or schedule changes via social media and official posts as the storm impacted streets and dangerous temperatures persisted.

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School District Closures / Cancellations:

• Midland Independent School District (MISD)  Closed Monday, January 26, due to inclement weather. Makeup day is set for March 6.

• Ector County Independent School District (ECISD) canceled after-school activities and weekend events starting Friday due to winter weather. Classes are also canceled on Monday, January 26.

MISD closed Monday due to forecasts of continued ice and dangerously low wind chills in the Permian Basin, making travel too risky for buses and student pickups, even after the initial snow and sleet.

Meanwhile, ECISD shifted its focus early in the weekend by canceling extracurriculars and after-school programs while closely monitoring road conditions and forecasts. However, they eventually posted on Facebook that classes were to be canceled on Monday.

Read More: Winter Storm Updates in Midland-Odessa

It is important to note that the decision to cancel classes was a precautionary measure, even if the worst of the storm is gone by Monday morning.

These proactive measures highlight how unusual winter storms in Texas can disrupt routines, particularly when icy roads and sub-freezing temperatures create safety hazards.

Local families were reminded to monitor district social media for updates and make arrangements as school calendars adjust to the weather.