Winter Weather Leads to Mass School Closures in Carolinas, Texas, Virginia

Schools across multiple states, including North and South Carolina, Texas and Virginia, have announced mass closures ahead of a winter storm that's expected to bring high winds, ice and snow.

The governors of South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia each issued a state of emergency this week ahead of the forecasted winter storm, and schools are making their own preparations amid potentially hazardous road conditions.

"Significant icing across the coastal plains of the Carolinas today and tonight; wintry weather this morning from southern Texas to the western Gulf Coast...Arctic chill continues across much of the central and eastern U.S.," the National Weather Service (NWS) said in an alert.

In North Carolina, the state's largest school district, Wake County Public School System asked all students and staff to leave campus by 6 p.m. ahead of closures on Friday and Saturday.

Durham Public Schools said it would be shut on Friday, and classes will continue to be carried out remotely on Monday, January 24, "if conditions do not improve."

Beaufort County Schools said it will be shut for all students and employees due to "inclement weather," Carteret County Public Schools cited "winter weather and forecasted hazardous conditions," and Craven County Schools made reference to weather forecasts "calling for dangerous icy conditions."

Most schools in the eastern part of the state announced a switch to remote learning and closures in preparation for the storm.

In South Carolina, all classes in Lowcountry's school districts are being conducted virtually on Friday, January 21.

Orangeburg County School District said Thursday that classes would be conducted online.

"A winter storm is expected to impact our region Friday and throughout the weekend with freezing rain, the possibility of snowfall and ice. With freezing temperatures, black ice on roadways is anticipated and would create dangerous travel conditions for students, families, teachers and staff," the district said in a news release.

Schools in Texas have also been impacted by winter weather conditions, with multiple school districts across the central part of the state canceling classes, including Blanco ISD, Del Valle ISD, Elgin ISD, Granger ISD, Lexington ISD, Liberty Hill ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Regents School of Austin and Smithville ISD.

In Virginia, Prince William County, Prince George's and Fairfax County Public Schools will be holding all classes online, while Arlington Public Schools and Loudoun County schools will be shut completely.

South Carolina's January 19 state of emergency marked the second issued by Gov. Henry McMaster in recent days. On January 14, the governor issued a state of emergency before Storm Izzy hit.

"South Carolina is expected to experience winter storm weather again this week," McMaster tweeted, as forecasters said snow and ice would hit the state beginning late Friday.

A Winter Storm Watch was issued by the NWS on Wednesday morning for the South Carolina Midlands, effective late Thursday through 7 a.m. Saturday morning.

"Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of around 1 inch with locally higher amounts. Ice accumulations of less than a tenth of an inch expected," NWS said, noting that slippery and hazardous road conditions are expected.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper warned that property could be damaged as a result of the storm.

Meanwhile Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said his emergency order is "to aid in the response to the impending winter weather," and to provide additional resources to address potentially high snow accumulations, transportation issues, and the potential for power outages.

"I urge all Virginians to monitor their local weather forecasts and take personal safety precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of their families," said Youngkin.