The Philadelphia School District does not have a specific temperature at which schools are closed. Instead, the decision to close schools due to inclement weather is made on a case-by-case basis by the Superintendent in consultation with the Office of Emergency Management and the Police Department. Factors that are considered include the predicted weather conditions, the impact on student and staff safety, and the ability of the district to provide transportation and other necessary services.
In general, schools are more likely to be closed when there is a significant amount of snow or ice, heavy fog, or extreme cold. However, there have been cases where schools have remained open even when the temperature has been below freezing. Ultimately, the decision to close schools is made in the best interests of student and staff safety.