SCRANTON, Pa. — As a powerful Nor’easter moves into Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, residents are turning to WNEP-TV for the latest school closings, delays, and community cancellations. With a Weather Impact Alert in effect for Sunday, February 22, and Monday, February 23, 2026, blizzard-like conditions are expected to disrupt travel and school schedules across the region.
Current Weather Impact and Blizzard Warnings
The Stormtracker 16 team has issued a high-priority alert as a coastal storm brings significant snow accumulation to the area. Blizzard Warnings have been officially issued for the Poconos, while Winter Storm Warnings and Weather Advisories cover the remainder of the WNEP viewing area. Forecasters predict wind gusts exceeding 40 mph, which may lead to drifting snow and dangerous visibility.
Governor Josh Shapiro provided a live winter storm update earlier today, urging residents to stay off the roads as PennDOT begins implementing speed reductions on major interstates. The heavy snow is expected to continue through Sunday night into the Monday morning commute, making school delays or full closures highly likely for many districts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and surrounding counties.
How to Check WNEP School Closings and Delays
WNEP provides several real-time platforms to monitor the status of local school districts, including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton:
- Official Website: Visit the WNEP Community Weather-Related Announcements page for a constantly updated list of school closings, parking bans, and business delays.
- WNEP+ App: Download the WNEP app to your smartphone or smart TV to receive push notifications for your specific school district.
- On-Air Broadcasts: Watch Newswatch 16 for the “ticker” at the bottom of the screen during morning and evening news segments.
- Text Alerts: Sign up for specialized weather and closing alerts through the station’s digital services.
What to Expect for Monday, February 23
With the storm timing peak impact for Sunday evening and Monday morning, many school administrators are expected to make decisions regarding “Flexible Instruction Days” (FID) or full closures by late Sunday night. The combination of heavy snow and high winds creates a “shoveling and plowing” event that may take crews several hours to clear from bus routes.
In addition to schools, several community fixtures have already been affected. The Sullivan County toboggan slide remains closed this weekend, and various municipal parking bans are now in effect to allow for snow removal operations.
Stay tuned to Newswatch 16 and the Stormtracker 16 interactive radar for minute-by-minute updates on this evolving winter storm.