
[Ed. note: Below reflects the National Weather Service of Wilmington’s forecast as of Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2 a.m.]
SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — With winter weather threatening the southeastern North Carolina region this week, some entities, such as area schools, are already preparing schedule changes.
According to the National Weather Service, a cold weather advisory is in effect, with highs in the 30s and lows in the teens for most of the week. As well a winter storm warning has been issued, with a wintry mix of precipitation anticipated for Tuesday afternoon. There are also chances of another storm system impacting the area on Thursday.
Precipitation could include snow, freezing rain and sleet on Tuesday evening into Wednesday. The amount was expected to be low, less than an inch, as of Monday morning, but overnight it increased. According to NWS, up to 3 inches can be expected in the greater Wilmington area, with some areas locally receiving more.
Precipitation is likely to occur from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, with the greatest impact taking place overnight, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. The winter storm warning is in effect until 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
Thursday, there is potential for another cold front bringing freezing rain, though it’s too early to determine precipitation amounts or impacts.
“People are encouraged to closely follow this developing winter weather situation and make preparations for an extended period of cold weather and possible wintry precipitation by making sure people and pets are safe, and pipes and plants are protected,” NWS noted in its release.
Any accumulation, mixed with dropping temperatures can potentially create black ice, making for hazardous driving conditions. As such, some area schools, organizations, governments and businesses are altering schedules this week.
This list will be updated as more info comes into the newsroom.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
ABC Stores — Closing at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Stores will reopen as soon as possible, weather permitting.
Battleship North Carolina — Closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22
Carolina Beach Town Offices — Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21, at noon. Plans are to re-open at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 22, weather conditions permitting.
Cape Fear Academy — Closed Wednesday, Jan. 22; all after-school activities are also canceled. The campus will return to normal operations on Thursday, Jan. 23, and is subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Cape Fear Community College — Closing at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21; classes will transition to remote instruction where possible, and all events after 2 p.m. are canceled. The Bonnie Sanders Burney Child Development Center will also close at 2 p.m. Remote instruction and operations remain in effect for Wednesday, Jan. 22. All events will be rescheduled and Bonnie Sanders Burney Child Development Center will be closed for the day.
Cape Fear Museum — Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, will open to the public at 1 p.m. and close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23.
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority — Offices will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22, with reopening scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 23, weather permitting. The downtown customer service lobby at the City of Wilmington’s Skyline Center at 929 N. Front Street will be closed all day both Tuesday and Wednesday. CFPUA accounts can be accessed calling 910-332-6550 or online at www.CFPUA.org/Online. Freezing temperatures increase the potential for water mains to leak or break; to report a water emergency, call 910-332-6565.
City of Wilmington — City council meeting has been moved up to 9 a.m. on Tuesday instead of 6:30 p.m. City offices are closed Wednesday, Jan. 22.
City of Wilmington Municipal Golf Course — Temporarily closes on Monday, Jan. 20, to protect the greens from the expected freezing conditions. This precaution preserves the health of the turf and ensure optimal playing conditions when temperatures return to normal.
New Hanover County Government — County offices, facilities, parks and the Arboretum will close at noon on Tuesday and remain closed on Wednesday.
New Hanover County Landfill & Household Hazardous Waste facilities — The landfill will close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday and will open to the public at 1 p.m. and close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23.
New Hanover County Public Libraries and Parks — Closed Tuesday and will open to the public at 1 p.m. and close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23.
New Hanover County Schools
- Students at SEA-Tech, Isaac Bear Early College, WECHS, Codington, Eaton, Snipes, and Freeman will have a remote learning day on Tuesday, Jan. 21. All extracurricular activities are canceled Tuesday, Jan. 21.
- NHCS Career Fair and Policy Committee Meeting will proceed as scheduled; travel safely and allow extra time for weather conditions.
- All schools will move to remote learning on Wednesday, Jan. 22. and all extracurricular activities are canceled.
- At a minimum, there will be a two-hour delayed start on Thursday, Jan. 23.
Senior Resource Centers — Main site, Castle Hayne and Carolina Beach sites will open Tuesday, with in-person nutrition meals served from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., before closing at noon. Drive-up meal service will not be available on Tuesday.
Thalian Hall — Closing at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Town of Carolina Beach — Budget workshop open house rescheduled to Tuesday, Jan. 28. Town offices remain closed until noon on Thursday, Jan. 23.
Town of Kure Beach — Council meeting canceled.
Town of Oak Island — Open on Tuesday, though operations may be modified to include closures and program / service cancellations, depending on weather on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
UNCW — Classes and events are canceled on UNCW’s campus starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Mandatory employees and employees temporarily assigned as mandatory due to this weather event must report to work or remain at work as directed. All other employees have the option to report late, leave early, or not report at all. UNCW will be closed through Wednesday, Jan. 22. Condition 2 will go into effect for employees at midnight (12 a.m.) at least through 5 p.m. Wednesday. All classes are cancelled.
YWCA — Closing at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and remains closed on Wednesday.
Wilmington Health — Offices will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Wilmington Housing Authority — Offices will close at noon on Jan. 21.
Wrightsville Beach Coffee with a Cop — Canceled for Thursday, Jan. 23.
PENDER COUNTY
Moores Creek National Battlefield — Closing at 4 p.m. on Tuesday Jan. 21, and remains closed on Wednesday Jan. 22. The park will reassess conditions Thursday morning Jan. 23, before making a determination about park operations for January 23. Reopening of the park will be announced on park website and social media.
Open Gym at Penderlea Community Park Gymnasium — Canceled Tuesday
Pender County Schools
- Early release for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, due to forecasted winter weather conditions. Review all school schedules here. All afterschool activities are canceled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, including athletics and PACES.
- Schools will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
- At minimum, Thursday’s schedule will operate on a two-hour delay.
From Superintendent Brad Breedlove: “We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our families as we take proactive steps to ensure everyone’s safety during this potential winter weather event.”
Scotts Hill Christian Academy — Closing early at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY
Bald Head Island Village — The village offices are closed both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Belville Town Hall and Riverwalk — Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Brunswick County Commissioners — Regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. will be canceled and rescheduled for another date. The 9 a.m. special meeting regarding FY2026 Countywide Goals will continue as plan.
Brunswick County Government — Offices, libraries, and other facilities will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Parks will close at 3:30 p.m. and all youth basketball programs will be canceled Tuesday through Thursday. Facilities remain closed Wednesday as well and will reopen Thursday.
Brunswick County Health Services — Closing at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, unless additional closures or schedule changes become necessary. If any appointments are interrupted by needed closures, contact Health Services to reschedule. Health Services will assist with re-scheduling appointments as soon as possible.
Brunswick County Landfill — Closing at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, and will remain closed on Wednesday. Convenience centers also remain closed Wednesday.
Brunswick County Schools
- Tuesday, Jan. 21, is a required teacher workday, with no school for students who attend traditional schools. BCECHS will operate on a regular schedule and all professional development sessions for staff will proceed as scheduled. But all after-school activities, including athletics, are canceled.
- On Wednesday, Jan. 22, Brunswick County Schools will implement our asynchronous remote learning plan for the day. All after-school activities, including athletics, are canceled. Classified staff will receive communication from their supervisors regarding specific instructions and options.
According to the district: “BCS leadership will continue to monitor weather forecasts and road conditions throughout the week. An update regarding district operations for Thursday, Jan. 23, and Friday, Jan. 24 will be provided by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22.”
Dosher Medical Clinics — Closing Tuesday at 5 p.m. Will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22, and reopen at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Jan. 23. Hospital Outpatient Services will close Tuesday at 5 p.m. and remainclosed on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Will reopen at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23. Dosher surgical services are closed Wednesday and Thursday. Hospital support services are closed at 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Wedneday and will reopen on Thursday at 10 a.m.
GFL Environmental — Trash collection on Wednesday, Jan. 22, postponed to Saturday, Jan. 25.
Southport/Fort Fisher Ferry — Closed Wednesday until further notice.
Town of Leland — Facilities, including Town Hall, the Leland Cultural Arts Center, and the Municipal Operations Center, will close at 3 p.m. on Jan. 21 and remain closed on Jan. 22. Town facilities are expected to reopen for normal business hours on Jan. 23. Any further changes to Town operations will be posted on the town website.
Town of Oak Island — All town offices, the pier, recreation programs and Par 3 Golf are closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22
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