Winter weather closes some Triangle-area schools Monday. Others are going virtual.
At least two Triangle school districts have announced winter-weather related closures Monday, as cold temperatures continue to cause unsafe conditions on roads across central North Carolina.
Students in Wake and Johnston counties’ public school systems get to stay home, the districts announced early Sunday evening.
Johnston County staff hoping to stay home from work may not get so lucky, with staff scheduled to report, if possible, on a delayed schedule. The district plans to email staff more information.
Durham Public Schools decided the roads might be too treacherous for students to travel but will continue to educate through remote learning.
Graduation practice is, however, canceled. And Tuesday’s winter graduation is rescheduled to Feb. 2.
The announcements comes after the National Weather Service said Sunday morning that black ice was expected to form overnight across the region, as temperatures once again drop to the teens or low-20s.
The black ice, which can be hazardous on roadways, is expected to persist through Monday morning.
Similar conditions caused hazardous conditions Sunday, as ice that formed the evening before remained present through the early morning.
“Johnston County is very large in land size, and there are many areas that have shaded roadways that are unsafe for travel, especially by our school buses,” Caitlin Furr, a spokeswoman for the schools, said in a statement. “Many of our campuses also have shaded walkways, parking lots and areas that must continue to be assessed by our operational staff before students may safety return.”
COVID testing sites, other services
Wake County government services were delayed until 10 a.m. on Monday in anticipation of the hazardous conditions.
The delayed start applied to the following Wake County services:
Wake County Public Health COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics
Parks
Public libraries
Waste and recycling facilities
Wake County Animal Center
