ARKANSAS — Continued icy road conditions, lingering snow and hazardous travel are prompting large numbers of Arkansas school districts — and several colleges — to remain closed or shift to virtual learning on Thursday, January 29, 2026. The closures extend the impact of this month’s historic winter storm, which dropped heavy snow and ice across the state and left many roadways unsafe for buses and commuters.
In Northwest Arkansas, major districts including Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, Siloam Springs, Charleston, Central, Eureka Springs and Waldron also reported closed classes for Thursday as part of multiple consecutive winter weather closures.
Major Districts and Urban Areas
- Little Rock School District — All schools and district offices will remain closed Thursday due to continued icy road conditions.
Colleges and Universities
Several higher-education campuses are also closed or operating virtually on Thursday:
- Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas Tech University–Ozark Campus — Virtual learning only
- ASU–Beebe (multiple campuses) — Closed
- Lyon College — Campus closed with essential services operating on a modified schedule
Reasoning and Safety Concerns
Officials across the state are citing continued hazardous roadways due to ice and refreezing temperatures, along with concerns for safe bus travel and student commuting, as the primary factors in their decisions to close schools and delay returns to in-person learning. Even as some main roads have been treated, many secondary and shaded roadways remain dangerous, and forecasts of refreezing overnight temperatures could retrigger hazardous surfaces.
Looking Ahead
Districts are monitoring conditions for Friday, January 30 and will update families through official channels — such as district websites, alert systems and social media — with later announcements regarding whether schools will reopen, continue closures, or shift to virtual instruction…