NORTH CAROLINA — Bitterly cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills across eastern and central North Carolina this weekend could lead to school closures or delays Monday as districts assess student safety and transportation concerns.
According to the National Weather Service, cold weather advisories remain in effect through Sunday morning for much of eastern North Carolina, with wind chill values dropping into the single digits and, in some areas, near or below zero. The cold is being driven by strong northwest winds combined with arctic air moving into the region.
The advisory covers a wide area, including parts of Pitt, Greene, Craven, Carteret, Lenoir, Duplin, Jones, Beaufort, Pamlico, Onslow, Nash, Edgecombe, Halifax, Johnston, Wilson, and surrounding counties.
In coastal and eastern counties, wind gusts up to 40 to 45 miles per hour are also possible, increasing the risk of dangerously low wind chills and scattered power outages.
Weather officials warn that exposure to extreme cold can lead to frostbite or hypothermia, particularly for children waiting at bus stops or walking to school during early morning hours. School districts often consider wind chill values, not just air temperatures, when making closure or delay decisions.
In addition to student safety outdoors, districts may also face transportation concerns, including difficulty starting diesel-powered school buses after prolonged cold, mechanical issues, and lingering power outages affecting school buildings.
While most cold weather advisories are expected to expire by mid-morning Sunday, lingering cold temperatures overnight into Monday morning could still create hazardous conditions during school commute times. School officials typically evaluate conditions early Monday morning before announcing closures or delays.
Parents and students are encouraged to monitor school district announcements and local alerts for updates.
