News Summary
Aiken County is bracing for a winter weather advisory, with forecasts predicting rain, sleet, and freezing rain. On January 10, schools will shift to e-learning days while others will dismiss students two hours early. Safety precautions are being emphasized, and parents should be aware of transportation changes and school closures. Higher education institutions will remain open but advise caution for students and staff. Residents are encouraged to monitor weather updates and prepare for potentially hazardous conditions.
Aiken County Braces for Winter Weather: E-Learning Days and Early Closures Announced
Well, folks, it looks like winter is knocking on our door here in Aiken County! With the weather forecast predicting a chilly mix of rain, sleet, and freezing rain, local schools are taking precautions to keep everyone safe. Buckle up, because we’ve got a winter weather advisory in effect, and things are about to get a tad frosty!
What’s Happening on January 10?
Mark your calendars, as January 10 is shaping up to be a day of unusual activities—or rather, a lack of them! Both Horse Creek Academy and many schools across the Aiken area will host e-learning days. This means that instead of bundling up and heading out, students will have the convenience of learning from the comfort of their own homes. Horse Creek will be sending home assignments for elementary students the day before while middle and high schoolers are encouraged to check Google Classroom for their tasks.
As for the rest of the schools in Aiken County, they will be dismissing students two hours early on this frosty day. Schools are making sure to serve breakfast and lunch before letting the kids head home, so no need to worry about skipping meals. Just be on the lookout for an early release!
Transportation and School Closures
Parents, take note: students who usually receive transportation on half-day schedules won’t be attending school on January 10. Additionally, all the Aiken County public schools, along with district offices, plan to close their doors no later than 3 p.m. to prioritize safety during hazardous weather conditions.
After school care and any events organized by the district are also canceled. So if you were planning to drop the kids off for some after-school fun, you might need to make other arrangements!
Other Schools Join the Bandwagon
Not to be left out, Edgefield County Schools have also jumped on the e-learning bandwagon for January 10, meaning no bus schedules or on-campus instruction will take place there. On a different note, St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School will be dismissing students at 1:00 p.m., and all extracurricular activities have been shelved for the day.
However, as of now, Mead Hall Episcopal and South Aiken Baptist Christian Schools have not yet made any weather-related announcements. If you have kids enrolled there, keep your ears open for any updates!
Higher Education Stays Open, with Caution
On a brighter note, the University of South Carolina Aiken plans to continue with regular hours on January 10, but they are advising students and staff to be cautious while traveling during the inclement weather. Aiken Technical College will also maintain normal operations, with classes and labs scheduled as planned.
Weather Updates and Precautions
So, what can we expect from Mother Nature? The National Weather Service is predicting a wintry mix between January 10 and 11. Rain and sleet are expected throughout the day, but brace yourselves as things will transition to freezing rain later on at night. In fact, up to half an inch of precipitation might be in the cards, with freezing rain anticipated before the sun rises on January 11!
Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on weather updates and take necessary precautions, such as letting those faucets drip to avoid frozen pipes or bringing outdoor pets inside to keep them warm and safe. If you haven’t already, it might be a good time to dig out those snow boots and stock up on cozy blankets!
Stay safe and keep warm, Aiken County! It looks like winter has come to visit, and we’re all in for an adventurous ride!
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Aiken Edgefield Schools Weather Closing
- WRDW: Latest Updates on Winter Weather Across CSRA
- WFXG: Plenty of Rainfall in Forecast
- WJBF: Winter Mix Including Ice, Sleet, and Snow
- Wikipedia: Winter Weather
