CCS closed for Jan. 16
Published 4:45 pm Monday, January 15, 2018
By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer
Chilton County Schools will be closed Jan. 16 in anticipation of icy conditions in the late afternoon.
Chilton County Schools Superintendent Tommy Glasscock said he participated in a National Weather Service webinar on Jan. 15, in addition to discussing potential weather conditions with local EMA and the Safe School Coordinator before making a decision.
“It’s about using all our resources and making the best decision,” Glasscock said.
Glasscock said the weather conditions are expected to be similar to those in 2014, a day of freezing temperatures and precipitation after a day of temperatures above freezing. Glasscock said this caused the precipitation to immediately freeze on roadways. Memories of that freeze were also a factor in the decision to close school.
A winter weather advisory will be in effect for Clanton from 6 a.m. on Jan. 16 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 17. The low is predicted to be 15 degrees on the night of Jan. 16.
NWS Birmingham Meteorologist Nathan Owen said a very strong cold front is predicted to enter Central Alabama, bringing snow showers to Clanton sometime between 1 and 4 p.m. on Jan. 16.
However, with less than 2 inches of snow predicted, ice is the main safety concern.
“We expect that anything that falls on the road will refreeze,” Owen said.
Glasscock said there was already a day built into the calendar in February that could be used to make up the weather day.
The superintendent said keeping students safe was the main concern.
“It’s just so unpredictable,” Glasscock said. “Snow is the most unpredictable weather we deal with.”
The Chilton County Board of Education meeting has been rescheduled to Jan. 23 at 4 p.m.
A hard freeze warning is also in effect for Jan. 16. Residents are encouraged to bring sensitive plants and animals inside and take precautions to keep pipes from freezing.
A decision has not been made yet on whether schools will be open on Jan. 17. Owen said the temperatures are not expected above freezing. The projected high for the day is 32 degrees.
