Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools cancel classes Wednesday due to severe weather forecast
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced classes are canceled Wednesday due to severe weather.
The National Weather Service issued a severe weather advisory for Mecklenburg County for heavy rain and severe wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour between 4 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Surrounding counties, including Catawba, Cabarrus, Gaston, Rowan, Union and Iredell Counties, were also included in the wind advisory.
The Mecklenburg County and some areas east are under a tornado watch until 1 p.m. Wednesday.
“We operate the largest public school transportation system in North Carolina, transporting over 100,000 students daily on almost 900 buses covering 523 square miles,” CMS said in a media release Tuesday night. “The safe operating wind speed for school buses is under 30 miles per hour.”
All CMS campuses will be closed Wednesday. There will be no After School Enrichment Program, extracurricular activities, facility use, athletics or before and after school programs, according to the release.
The budget information session originally scheduled to be held at Irwin Academic Center on Wednesday evening will now be remote at 5 pm.
Other Charlotte-area school closures
Here are other schedule changes across the region:
▪ Catawba County Schools will operate on a remote learning schedule Wednesday, the district announced Tuesday evening.
▪ Cabarrus County Schools will implement a remote learning day Wednesday.
▪ Hickory City Schools will have an Inclement Weather Remote Learning Day on Wednesday, the district announced via its website.
▪ Kannapolis City Schools announced school will be canceled for students Wednesday. Staff are expected to report to work on a two-hour delay.
▪ Newton-Conover City Schools will be closed Wednesday. It will be an optional workday for staff.
▪ In South Carolina, Fort Mill schools were operating on a two-hour delay.
Governor’s urges caution
Gov. Josh Stein issued a video message Tuesday evening warning the state about severe weather Wednesday and the potential for tornadoes and flash flooding.
The state Department of Transportation, National Guard, and Highway Patrol will be ready, he said.
This is a developing story.
This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 7:54 PM.
