Long island school delays are in effect across parts of Suffolk County Monday morning, after weekend snow and a sharp temperature drop raised concerns about slick roads, refreezing slush, and difficult early commutes.
Many districts announced two-hour delayed openings for Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Conditions across Long Island turned markedly colder overnight, following snow on Sunday, with morning temperatures in the 20s and lingering ice risk in spots.
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Which Long Island districts have confirmed two-hour delays (Dec. 15, 2025)
As of early Monday, the following Suffolk County public school districts have confirmed two-hour delayed openings:
- Bay Shore Union Free School District (two-hour delayed opening; no before-school activities listed)
- Brookhaven-Comsewogue Union Free School District (two-hour delayed opening)
- Central Islip Union Free School District (two-hour delayed opening)
- Deer Park Union Free School District (two-hour delayed opening)
- East Islip Union Free School District (two-hour delayed opening)
- Eastport-South Manor Central School District (two-hour delayed opening)
- Hampton Bays Union Free School District (two-hour delayed opening)
- Hauppauge Union Free School District (two-hour delayed opening)
- Longwood Central School District (two-hour delayed opening)
- Miller Place Union Free School District (two-hour delayed opening for all schools)
- Riverhead Central School District (two-hour delayed opening)
- Sachem Central School District (two-hour delayed opening; no AM child care and no AM BOCES)
Because delay lists can change quickly early in the morning, families should still check their district’s official messaging for any late updates to transportation, activities, or after-school events.
Why the delayed openings were announced
The main issue Monday is not just the snow that fell Sunday, but what happens afterward. When temperatures fall into the teens and 20s, wet and slushy areas can refreeze, especially on untreated side streets, shaded roads, and school parking lots.
Across Nassau and Suffolk, the Monday morning commute also lines up with a cold, breezy start. Even where main roads improve, isolated slick spots can create trouble for buses and drivers during the busiest pickup window.
What a two-hour delay typically changes for families
A two-hour delay usually shifts the entire morning routine later, including bus pickups and building start times. Many districts also adjust or cancel early programs on delay days. For Monday, at least some districts specifically noted changes to morning activities, including before-school activities or child care, depending on the district.
If your household uses morning supervision, breakfast programs, or BOCES transportation, Monday’s delay may require a backup plan—especially if a district pauses early services for the day.
Transportation and commute reminders for Monday morning
Even with a delay, roads can vary block by block. Families planning to drive should expect:
- Slower neighborhood travel where slush refroze overnight
- Icy patches near curbs, intersections, and school drop-off loops
- Longer stopping distances in parking lots and on side roads
- Wind-driven cold that can make waiting outside feel harsher than the temperature suggests
For bus riders, winter weather often creates small timing differences from route to route. Students should dress for cold conditions and allow extra time to reach their stop safely.
What to watch for after the delayed start
A delayed opening helps schools avoid the worst part of the morning risk window, but it doesn’t always eliminate it. Families should still watch for:
- Updates to afternoon activities if conditions remain icy in shaded areas
- Any district-specific adjustments to after-school sports, late buses, or rehearsals
- Changes to staffing schedules that could affect building routines
If temperatures remain below freezing through the day, areas that don’t melt can stay slick into dismissal time.
How to confirm your district’s status quickly
If you’re unsure whether your child’s school is on a delay list, focus on district-run channels first. In fast-changing weather, official district alerts and school websites are the most reliable place to confirm:
- Start time and building schedule
- Whether before-school programs are operating
- Bus pickup expectations and route timing notes
- Any BOCES-related changes that apply in your area
If your district is not listed above, it may still be on a normal schedule—or it may have posted an update after the earliest reports. A quick check before leaving home can prevent a stressful morning.
What’s next as Long Island stays in a cold pattern
The weather pattern behind Sunday’s snow has kept Long Island in a colder-than-normal feel for mid-December. That matters because even minor snow leftovers can become a morning hazard when temperatures stay below freezing.
If more flurries, wind, or additional minor accumulations develop later this week, districts may use delayed starts again—especially when ice risk is higher than snowfall totals.
Families should plan for the possibility that more winter mornings could bring schedule changes, particularly in Suffolk County where longer bus routes and more rural stretches can make early travel riskier.
Long island school delays are a reminder that even light snow can create big headaches when temperatures plunge—so a slower, safer start is often the best call on mornings like this.
