Local Weather Updates — Weather-forecasting

Lancaster County schools delay start after weekend snowstorm dumps 5.5 inches

Frigid temps and treacherous roads force last-minute schedule changes. Will your child’s school be affected by the winter blast?

, and ASMedia

2025 December 18 . 1:21 AM

1 min read

In the picture we can see some school children are standing on the path with school uniforms and... — In the picture we can see some school children are standing on the path with school uniforms and they are holding some papers in their hands and one girl is talking something near the microphone which is to the stand and behind them we can see a fencing wall and to the top of it we can see a shed with some balloons top it.

Lancaster County schools delay start after weekend snowstorm dumps 5.5 inches

Lancaster County schools will start Monday with a two-hour delay after heavy weekend snow. Cold temperatures, icy roads and drifting snow led to the decision. Over a dozen districts and several private schools have announced adjusted schedules.

The delays follow a storm that dumped up to 5.5 inches of snow in parts of the county, with Salisbury Township seeing the highest totals. Overnight lows dropped to around 14 degrees, and frigid conditions are expected to last through midweek.

School principals across the county assessed conditions early Monday before confirming the delays. Districts including Cocalico, Hempfield, Lampeter-Strasburg and Penn Manor were among those adjusting their start times. Private institutions like Faith Mennonite High School, Hinkletown Mennonite School and Linden Hall also announced two-hour delays.

The Lancaster Public Library and its Mountville branch will open late as well. Officials cited lingering hazards from the storm, including blowing snow and icy patches on untreated roads. Daytime highs are forecast to stay in the low 30s until Thursday, when temperatures begin to rise.

A full list of closures and delays is available at lanc.news/ClosingsAndDelays. The county’s southern and eastern areas saw the heaviest snowfall, with Salisbury Township recording 5.5 inches by Sunday evening.

The delays will remain in effect for Monday only, though cold weather is set to continue through Wednesday. Warmer conditions are expected from Thursday onward. Schools and public services will resume normal operations once road conditions improve.