Baltimore County public schools without air conditioning will close, and all city schools will finish three hours early, on Thursday when temperatures are forecast to hit 94 degrees.
School officials announced the closures Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures are forecast to spike this week as much as 12 degrees above normal, according to the National Weather Service.
In the city, after-school activities are canceled Thursday and pre-kindergarten will have a half-day.
The county school board voted last week to modify its heat policy. Now, schools without air conditioning may remain open unless the heat index is forecast to reach 90 degrees by 11 a.m. If the index is expected to reach 90 degrees by 3 p.m., parents may keep their children home and get an excused absence.
The county district clarified on Wednesday night that Halstead Academy now has air conditioning and will be open.