NC school closures: How do districts decide when to close due to weather?

Snow or severe weather in the forecast doesn't always mean your school will be closed. Find out how leaders decide when to close schools in North Carolina.

When snow, hurricanes or any other severe weather threat is in the forecast, parents and children start asking if their school will be closed.

Districts close schools in North Carolina for a variety of weather-related reasons, including tornadoes, hurricanes, snow, ice and even classrooms with no power or air conditioning.

Why are NC schools closed when weather is bad?

There are no federal or state recommendations for canceling school due to weather conditions.

School districts, emergency management leaders and the National Weather Service all confirm those standards vary by county.

Strong winds can prevent buses from running

School district leaders in Nash County refer to guidelines in a 9- to 10-page plan in the event of any kind of bad weather.

Dr. Steve Ellis, superintendent for Nash County Public Schools, told WRAL in 2023 that a weather committee with about 11 members is also assembled to make decisions.

Ellis said strong winds can prevent buses from running.

“The biggest thing is if winds are sustained at 30 mph, we can’t send [school] buses out," Ellis said. "That’s the first thing we ask our emergency management teams in Nash County: tell us about the winds.”

Cumberland County Schools uses wind gusts, not sustained winds, and their threshold is 40- to 45-mph gusts.

According to Wake County Public School System, it is generally unsafe for buses when the wind is sustained at 30 mph and/or gusting over 40 mph. The district also closely monitors the power outage potential since that is another consequence of strong winds.

Road conditions are also considered

In Wake County, a school district public relations representative told WRAL News that they have a Severe Weather Team who monitors forecasts and road conditions closely before and during potential weather events.

"When inclement weather is a possibility, we collaborate with our Transportation Team, which conducts firsthand road assessments early in the morning," officials said in January 2025. "Safety is always our top priority, and we strive to balance that with minimizing disruptions to the school day whenever possible."

When do NC school leaders make the decision to close?

Sometimes it seems like every school district but yours has announced to close or delay when weather is approaching. But why do some districts make the call before others?

The decision and timing varies by district.

Wake County leaders aim to make the decision to close schools before 9 p.m. the day before. If the decision has to be made the day of, they will try to do so before 4:45 a.m.

Nash County said they don’t have a set deadline for the call, but they always try to make the call the night before.

Non-weather events can cause schools to be closed

Heating and air conditioning problems can also cause school closures.

In Wake County, many public schools have had to dismiss early in recent years due to lack of heat in the buildings.

In December 2024, seven Wake County public schools dismissed early due to a lack of heat.

In 2024, Wake County board members learned the district is $214.3 million behind on updating heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment. District officials have blamed many of its HVAC issues on understaffing, funding gaps and old equipment.