WILMINGTON — Due to inclement weather from a winter storm passing over the state, area schools and governments have announced operational delays and more for Thursday, Feb. 20.
While a trace of ice can be anticipated locally, the National Weather Service Wilmington noted in its Wednesday advisory that one-tenth of an inch may be expected in northern areas, likely accumulating overnight.
Freezing rain can result in hazardous driving conditions, particularly when crossing bridges, which tend to ice first. The Wilmington Police Department reminds locals to slow down and exercise caution if driving as temperatures begin to fall and precipitation chances increase.
“Water that freezes can adversely affect travel especially on local bridges, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway,” a release from the department details.
Just last month during the five-inch snow and ice event, MLK Parkway closed overnight due to icy conditions.
“Driving on ice is extremely different than traveling through snow,” WPD added. “It can be near to impossible at times, with hills, overpasses, and bridges becoming almost impassable.”
Gov. Josh Stein announced a state of emergency and recommends people to stay off the roads altogether due to weather impacts.
People should also take action to prevent pipes from freezing — leave a drip, open all cabinets and doors inside the home — and bring in pets and plants from the cold.
In addition to being under a winter weather advisory, NWS also issued a cold advisory. Temperatures will remain freezing through Saturday morning, with wind chills in the 10 to 15 degree range on Thursday.
While New Hanover and Brunswick county schools first announced Wednesday they would operate on a delay, both have since announced they will move to remote learning on Thursday.
Below are updated schedules and area governments that also have announced delays.
Here are the updates:
Bald Head Island
Village offices will be closed Thursday and staff will work remotely. The Island Package Center will be open normal hours.
Belville
Across the Cape Fear Bridge in Belville both its town hall and riverwalk will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20.
Brunswick County Community College
All campus locations will have a delayed opening on Thursday until 10 a.m., including Dinah E. Gore Sports & Aquatics Complex. Classes will move to remote learning if needed.
Brunswick County Schools
Brunswick County’s district announced it will operate on regular schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 19, with afterschool activities also on schedule.
However, on Thursday, Feb. 20, it will have a remote learning day. All after-school activities and athletics are canceled.
Students and parents will be informed no later than 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, concerning asynchronous remote learning assignments through their normal school communication channels.
Friday, February 21, 2025, is a non-required teacher work day and there is no school for students who attend traditional schools.
Due to inclement weather, the BCS Middle Schools Battle of the Books competition has been rescheduled to March 11, at Odell Williamson Auditorium.
Cape Fear Academy
The private Wilmington school will operate on a two-hour delay on Thursday, Feb. 20, and classes will begin at 10 a.m. Administrators will monitor weather conditions to figure out if full closure is necessary and will update families by 8 a.m. Thursday as necessary.
CFCC
Cape Fear Community College will operate on a two-hour delay on Thursday, February 20, 2025, for all employees and students due to forecasted inclement weather. Remote instruction will occur from 8 to 10 a.m., with in-person classes resuming at 10 a.m. at all CFCC campus locations.
The Bonnie Sanders Child Development Center will also operate on a two-hour delay and open at 10 a.m.
Leland
Town facilities, including town hall, the Leland Cultural Arts Center and the Municipal Operations Center, shutter at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, will reopen by 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20.
New Hanover County Schools
Thursday, Feb. 20: Students will have a remote learning day, except for restart calendar schools, Snipes and Freeman, which will be closed on Thursday
All afterschool activities are canceled Thursday as well.
Students will receive communication from their teacher or school administrator regarding assignments and staff members should refer to the email sent by the district for further instructions.
Pender County Government
Operating on a two hour delay, with locations opening at 10 a.m.
Pender County Schools
All afterschool activities, including 21st Century, PACES, and athletics, have been canceled for Wednesday, Feb. 19. The district will operate on a remote learning schedule on Thursday, Feb. 20. Students will return to a regular in-person schedule on Friday, Feb. 21.
However, Penderlea School and Pender Early College will utilize snow days and will be closed Thursday.
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the flexibility and understanding of our families,” Superintendent Brad Breedlove said in a release. “The safety of our students is our top priority, and we are taking these measures out of an abundance of caution.”
UNCW
Due to the potential for inclement weather, UNCW will delay classes and events and reduce operations on Thursday, Feb. 20.
- All classes before 12:30 p.m. are canceled. Classes scheduled at 12:30 p.m. and later will proceed as planned, unless individual course instructors communicate alternative arrangements to their students.
- Normal campus operations for offices and events will resume at 12 p.m. (noon) but some campus facilities may open earlier.
If additional campus updates are needed, they will be shared by 10 a.m. on Thursday unless conditions warrant earlier notification.
USS North Carolina
Will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday due to potential icy conditions.
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