North Carolina Schools Adjust Schedules Amid Extreme Cold Warning

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) — Several school districts in the North Carolina mountains adjusted their schedules for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, due to anticipated extreme cold weather. The region braced for feels-like temperatures as low as -10 degrees overnight, prompting safety concerns for students and staff.

A cold weather advisory was issued for the Charlotte Metro area, including counties in both North and South Carolina, on Monday night, Jan. 20. Feels-like temperatures in the area were expected to drop to 5 degrees overnight. Meanwhile, western North Carolina faced an extreme cold warning for Tuesday night into Wednesday, with the potential for dangerous wind chills.

Areas closer to Charlotte were also expected to experience cold temperatures, though not as severe as the mountains. Light flurries were possible in the Charlotte region on Tuesday, but no significant snow accumulation was forecasted. Snow chances were higher in the evening for areas south and east of Charlotte.

School officials in the mountain regions cited safety concerns as the primary reason for schedule adjustments. “The safety of our students and staff is our top priority,” said a spokesperson for one affected district. “We want to ensure everyone can travel safely during these extreme conditions.”

The National Weather Service urged residents to take precautions, including limiting time outdoors and ensuring proper heating in homes. “These temperatures can be life-threatening if proper precautions aren’t taken,” a meteorologist warned.

This cold snap follows a pattern of unusually harsh winter weather in the region, with similar advisories issued earlier in the season. Residents were advised to monitor local forecasts and prepare for potential power outages or travel disruptions.