Ahead of overnight winter weather expected to bring precipitation and low temperatures, both the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools systems called for a two-hour delay to operations for Friday.
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for much of central North Carolina overnight Thursday into Friday, with a light wintry mix expected and accumulation of snow possible. Northern Orange County has a higher likelihood of seeing snow instead of rain, with a chance of seeing up to an inch of accumulation — but with overnight lows hovering around freezing, there is a chance further precipitation could wash away any snow and create slick conditions.
The Orange County Schools district shared the alert shortly before 5 p.m., saying the delay will allow Orange County Schools’ Transportation and Operations teams time to evaluate road and campus conditions after an overnight forecast of cold temperatures and potential snow. Buses will arrive two hours after their regular time, with classes operating in a truncated fashion on Friday.
https://www.instagram.com/orangecoschools/p/DR2uN_EFV8n/
Shortly after, CHCCS called for a two-hour delay as well.
“Even though the impact in Chapel Hill and Carrboro may be minimal,” said Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks, “we want to give our commuting staff, students and families extra time – and daylight – to drive, walk or bike safely. It also gives our teams a little extra time to treat driveways, sidewalks and shaded areas around our schools if we need to.”
With the two-hour delay, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools will follow this schedule:
- Elementary schools start at 9:50 a.m. and dismiss at the usual time of 2:35 p.m.
- Middle schools start at 10:25 a.m. and dismiss at the usual time of 3:20 p.m.
- High schools start at 10:55 a.m. and dismiss at the usual time of 4 p.m.
- The bus comes two hours later than it normally would.
Safety Tips
During severe winter weather, the North Carolina Department of Transportation urges people to avoid traveling during storms unless “absolutely necessary.” For those who do venture onto snowy or icy roads, the state department requests people drive at slower speeds, leave plenty of room between themselves and others, and clear all ice or snow from a vehicle before traveling. If you become stranded while driving, safely pull off the road, remain in your vehicle and call for help.
During periods of freezing temperatures, there are several warming centers and overnight offered to Orange County community members to rest and stay safe. IFC has shelters available in Chapel Hill every night, and the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness organizes shelters any night where temperatures are set to reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., those needing a warm place to stay can utilize the 828 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard building in Chapel Hill, St. Matthews Episcopal Church on Hillsborough’s St. Mary’s Road, or Hillsborough Presbyterian Church on West Tryon Street.
Photo via the Orange County Government.
Ready.gov, a website through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, offers several safety tips for staying warm, keeping power, and enduring inclement winter weather. More information can be found here.
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