Winter weather has swept across the Carolinas, prompting a spate of schedule modifications among the schools in the mountainous regions and the Charlotte area. More than a dozen school districts have adopted various responses to the forecasted snow and ice, ranging from delayed openings to a full shift to remote learning for the day. According to WBTV, areas in the mountains can expect up to two inches of snow through Monday, while eastern regions will likely only see rain.
Up to a quarter inch of ice could accompany the snowfall, rendering travel hazardous and no doubt causing administrators to carefully consider the best course of action for ensuring student safety. In response to these conditions, several counties, including Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, and Watauga, are under a winter storm warning until Monday evening. A winter weather advisory is additionally in effect for other northwestern counties, as WBTV reports.
As part of the wave of closures, Alexander County, Ashe County, Caldwell County, Catawba County, and Watauga County schools are completely closed for Monday. It's noted that Watauga County Schools decided to move operations to a Remote Learning Day. Other districts, such as Burke County and Iredell-Statesville, have chosen to initiate late starts, with delays of 3 hours and 2 hours respectively. This information was confirmed by QC News.
Along with schedule shifts, dangerously low temperatures and inclement weather are forecasted with several school districts closing, switching to remote instruction, or enacting delays for Monday. Meteorologist Danielle Miller is said to be tracking the freezing rain and rain, expected to play havoc during the morning commute, in a report by WSOCTV. Extended winter weather advisories and warnings are in place across many counties, with Ashe and Watauga under a Winter Storm Warning until 7 p.m.
