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Snow days are when school districts close schools for a day or two due to wintry weather. Today on The Metro, we’re taking a step into our nostalgic side as we reminisce about the good old snow days of our childhoods. 

They may be the greatest joy for a child – that magical morning moment where you look outside and see a bunch of snow, your parents turn on the local news and you see your school district’s name pop up on the “school closings” list. But nowadays, that nostalgic snow day moment feels a little different. 

Guests:

Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross: Superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools. 

Craig Bryson: Senior manager of communications for the Oakland County Roads Commission. 

Richard Rood: Professor Emeritus, Climate and Space Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan.

We also asked listeners:

“Do you think snow days are called too often?”

Melinda from Grosse Pointe said, “Safety first, I think, is really important. I have a distinct memory of being in high school and waking up. A snow day wasn’t called, but there was a good couple inches on the roads. So I had to get up, get dressed, and 16-year-old me was going to try my best to drive my little four-door sedan through the snow. And they called the snow day as I walked out the back door, and I just happened to check my phone one more time.”

Use the media player above to hear the conversation.

Tomorrow’s question: Is artificial intelligence going to save local news or be its downfall? 

Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app.

More headlines from The Metro on Feb. 17, 2025: 

• A new pilot study by the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute and Shoelace Learning shows promise for “gamified learning” as an effective reading intervention. Julia Dexter is the Founder of Shoelace Learning, an education platform that developed the games used in the pilot study. She spoke with Senior Producer David Leins about how gamified learning can improve reading skills in students.

• The Detroit Documenters have been appearing on The Metro every Friday, but you’ll now be able to hear conversations with Producer Jack Filbrandt and the Detroit Documenters every Monday. Today we bring you a conversation with Detroit Documenter Madiline Beck and Coordinator Noah Kincade on a potential cigar lounge coming to Detroit Metro Airport.  

• Jeff Milo is the host of MI Local on WDET. He is also an employee at the Ferndale Area District Library and an avid reader. He joins the show to talk about the many things libraries offer to residents year-round.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.