These Des Moines area schools are closing Friday for extreme cold
Updated Jan. 22, 2026, 4:21 p.m. CT
Some Des Moines area schools are canceling classes
Des Moines Public Schools has canceled all classes for Friday, Jan. 23, because of anticipated extreme cold.
“Due to the Extreme Cold Warning issued by the National Weather Service that goes into effect at midnight and lasts throughout tomorrow, classes at Des Moines Public Schools are cancelled for Friday, January 23,” the district said in a news release.
The low for Friday, Jan. 23, in Des Moines is expected to be 5 degrees below zero, with wind gusts up to 21 mph, and the National Weather Service forecasts a wind chill as low as 30 degrees below zero.
Most of Iowa will be under an extreme cold warning from midnight Friday until noon.
Which Des Moines area schools are closed Friday?
- Ames Community School District: All classes and activities are canceled.
- Ankeny Community School District: All classes, as well as before and after school programs, are canceled.
- Bondurant-Farrar Community Schools: All classes and activities are canceled and offices will be closed.
- Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District: All classes are canceled on Friday, but evening activities are on as scheduled.
- Des Moines Public Schools: No classes, early childhood programs, Metro Kids Care or school activities.
- Johnston Community School District: All classes are canceled, but KTC child care will be available at Timber Ridge and Wallace elementary schools. The Showzam show choir invitational is still on as planned.
- Southeast Polk Community School District: All classes, pre-school and evening activities are canceled.
- Urbandale: All classes, Adventuretime and activities are canceled.
- Waukee Community School District: All classes and extracurricular activities are canceled. Beyond the Bell and Little Learners Club child care will be open as a no school day, the district said in a social media post.
- West Des Moines: All classes are canceled.
Don’t see your district listed? Check social media or the district’s website to confirm classes.
University of Iowa moves classes online
All classes at the University of Iowa will move to Zoom or Teams on Friday, the university announced. Offices and services will remain open.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.