Inclement weather in Western North Carolina included tornado warnings and thunderstorms on March 16, 2026. As a result, several schools in the region are now facing schedule modifications due to the aftermath of these severe conditions.
As of 6:50 a.m. on March 17, multiple school districts in Western North Carolina announced changes to their schedules. Asheville City Schools declared a remote learning day, while Buncombe County Schools opted for a full closure with an optional teacher workday.
Cherokee County Schools reported a two-hour delay but noted that no buses would operate on icy roads. Similarly, Jackson County Public Schools also implemented a two-hour delay under the same conditions.
Graham County Schools announced a closure for students but designated a workday for staff. Haywood County Schools followed suit with a remote learning day and an optional workday for teachers.
Macon County Schools have a three-hour delay, also with no bus service due to hazardous road conditions. Madison County Schools are closed today, providing an optional workday for educators.
In addition, Yancey County Schools confirmed a remote learning day, emphasizing their commitment to assist families facing connectivity issues. “Our principals and teachers will work with students and families if their WiFi is not in service at home due to the weather,” a representative stated.
Watauga County Schools have announced a two-hour delay with limited bus routes available. The temperature in the Asheville area is currently 39 degrees, with a low of 19 degrees overnight, and there is a 40% chance of snow showers throughout the day.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of the weather on school operations in Minnesota, where several schools are also delayed or switched to E-learning due to a snowstorm.
