East Tennessee Schools Close Due to Severe Winter Weather

Snow-covered school building in East Tennessee during winter storms.

News Summary

On January 17, several school districts in East Tennessee announced closures and delays due to hazardous driving conditions from recent winter weather. Anderson County Schools opted to remain open despite treacherous roads, while more closures are expected with upcoming extreme cold weather. Meanwhile, Kentucky schools are implementing non-traditional instruction days to facilitate learning during snow days. With slick roads and safety concerns paramount, school districts are alerting parents about which areas are affected as the winter season continues.

East Tennessee Schools Weather the Storm with Closures and Delays

As we welcome the tricky winter season, Knoxville schools are adjusting to some unexpected weather challenges! On January 17, many school districts announced **_school closings_** and **_delays_** due to hazardous driving conditions resulting from wintry weather experienced last week. It seems that Mother Nature is keeping us on our toes!

What’s Happening on Friday, January 17?

Some districts decided to shut their doors for the day or delay openings, while others are planning to carry on as normal. For example, Anderson County Schools confirmed that, despite some **_hazardous road conditions_** for bus routes, their buildings will remain open. They’ve even published a handy list online showing which roads will not be serviced by buses.

Cold Snap Ahead!

The situation will only get chillier as we move into the following week. Schools in East Tennessee and neighboring Kentucky announced closures for Tuesday, January 21, due to a major drop in temperatures! With wind chills expected to dip to **_at or below 0 degrees_**, the cold isn’t going anywhere until at least Thursday morning. Some of that **_snow from the previous weekend_** may linger, adding to the **_slick road conditions_** we need to be mindful of.

Federal Holiday and Additional Closures

Remember that Monday, January 20, was already a day off for students because of **_federal holidays_**. But now, with extreme weather hitting, many schools will also be closed on Tuesday. Just last week, Friday, January 10, preparations were underway for a snowstorm that was expected to blanket the area in several inches of snow, with Knoxville anticipating a total of around **_4-6 inches_**. A winter storm warning was issued for the entire region, which is nothing to shake a snowball at!

Slick Roads and Safety Warnings

Road conditions are tricky, especially on bridges and overpasses, where they become **_specially slick and hazardous_**. If you’re traveling, please exercise caution! The local schools are keeping everyone informed about which districts are closed or delayed as a result of these wintery conditions.

Non-Traditional Instruction Days

For our friends in Kentucky, closures will be marked with “NTI,” which stands for **_non-traditional instruction_**. This way, students can continue learning from home even during these closures. It’s a win-win for everyone trying to stay on track!

More Closures on January 15

On January 15, additional closures rattled East Tennessee as even more districts faced delays due to hazardous driving conditions. According to Anderson County Schools, although fewer than **_20% of local roads_** were dangerous, some of their bus routes remain closed for safety. Parents can check online for a comprehensive list of the roads affected.

Big Impact Across the Region

A few days earlier, on January 13, over **_90 counties in Tennessee_** were forced to close schools because several inches of snow had made travel treacherous. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued warnings about black ice and fog, creating even more **_hazardous travel conditions_**.

All Schools Affected

Many schools had varying degrees of delays, including Annor Academy of Knoxville delaying start times by one hour, aiming to open at 8:40 AM. Knoxville Catholic High School opted for a two-hour delay, while Roane State Community College decided to begin classes at 10 AM. Seymour Community Christian School and Tate’s School joined in on the delays, each with a one-hour postponement. Wee Care Learning Center also announced its **_two-hour delay_**, opening at 8:00 AM.

Stay safe and warm, everyone! As winter holds tight, let’s keep our eyes on the road, stay informed, and be ready for whatever the weather has in store for us!