The threat of severe thunderstorms, high winds and potentially hail has the school systems in Orange, Chatham and Durham counties changing plans on Friday.

Durham Public Schools announced around 10:30 a.m. they would be ending classes two hours earlier than normal because of the weather forecast, with all after-school activities being canceled as well.

Not long after, the two Orange County school districts and Chatham County Schools announced they would also cancel after-school programs, athletic events and extracurriculars due to the impending storm. Both Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools, however, will still release at their normal times. Chatham County Schools will do the same.

As of early Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service is forecasting storms of varying strengths to pass through central North Carolina in the late afternoon and evening hours. Possible hazards include “damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and large hail.” Orange, Durham and Chatham counties are in the forecasted path of the storm system and are expected to see rainy weather on Saturday after any storms Friday night.

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