Winter storm forces widespread school closures in central North Carolina on Monday: Here’s the full list

A Winter Storm Advisory issued for central North Carolina on December 8, 2025, prompted dozens of school districts to close, switch to remote learning, or dismiss early due to expected snow, freezing temperatures, and black ice risks on roads. Major systems like Wake County Public School System, Durham Public Schools, Johnston County Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Wilson County Schools, Nash County Public Schools, Franklin County Schools, and Warren County Schools announced full closures for students and staff, canceling all activities and athletics.

Forecasters warned of quick-forming snow bands increasing accident dangers, leading districts to prioritize safety amid the rare southern winter storm.

Full closures across key districts

Wake County Public School System shut all schools for students on December 8, using banked time with no makeup day required, as confirmed on their official site and ABC11 alerts.


Durham Public Schools closed facilities entirely for students and staff, with essential personnel reporting as directed, while Chapel Hill-Carrboro allowed optional remote workdays for teachers.

Additional full closures hit Chatham County Schools, Granville County Public Schools, Orange County Schools, and private/charter options like Central Wake High School, Falls Lake Academy, Mt. Zion Christian Academy, Southside Christian School, and True Light Shines Academy.

Remote learning and early dismissals

Person County Schools and Roxboro Community School shifted to remote learning only, joined by Edgecombe County Public Schools, Research Triangle High School, Durham Technical Community College, and The Math and Science Academy of Apex using asynchronous days.

Wayne County Public Schools and Dillard Academy Charter School dismissed students two hours early, suspending after-school programs, while Halifax County Schools and Vance-Granville Community College closed at noon, and Huckleberry’s Friends in Wake ended at 3 pm Head Start programs in Franklin, Granville, Vance, and Warren counties also closed fully.

Community colleges

Edgecombe Community College and Piedmont Community College remained closed, reflecting caution across educational levels amid travel warnings.

The advisory affects counties including Wake, Durham, Johnston, Nash, Franklin, and Warren, with districts like Northampton monitoring for potential changes early Monday. Parents should check district websites for real-time updates as conditions evolve.

FAQs

Why did Wake County Public Schools close completely?
Impending winter weather, including snow and black ice risks, led to the full student closure using banked time, with no makeup day needed.

Which districts switched to remote learning on December 8?
Person County Schools, Roxboro Community School, Edgecombe County Public Schools, and Durham Technical Community College opted for remote or asynchronous sessions.

Are community colleges affected by the storm advisory?
Yes, Edgecombe and Piedmont closed fully, while Vance-Granville dismissed at noon and Durham Tech went remote.