As an unexpected cold snap grips the region, schools in the Tri-Cities area of Tennessee and Virginia, along with parts of Kentucky, are dealing with a flurry of closures and delays. The chilly weather, packing snow and sub-freezing temperatures, caught many off guard this week, forcing districts to prioritize safety over schedules.
In the WJHL coverage zone, more than a dozen schools announced closings or two-hour delays for Tuesday, November 11. Johnson City Schools, for instance, opted for delays to assess road conditions, with their assistant director stressing the tough calls between full shutdowns and staggered starts. Districts like Carter County went with a two-hour pushback, while others in Kingsport and Bristol flat-out closed doors. By Wednesday morning, November 12, most reports show a return to normal, though lingering ice patches have parents and officials on edge.
Over in Kentucky, the impact was just as sharp. Meade County and Breckinridge County Schools shut down entirely on Monday, November 10, joining McCreary and Corbin independents that dismissed early due to the incoming front. New Hope Christian Academy stayed closed through Tuesday, and spots like Jackson and Pickett counties delayed openings by two hours. With temperatures dipping below freezing, these moves underscore the real risks of slick roads and black ice—something rural areas know all too well.
While the worst seems behind us, this quick shift from mild fall to winter woes reminds everyone how fragile our daily routines can be when nature decides to intervene.
