Are classes canceled due to bad weather? Here's the latest on Augusta-area schools
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday with southwest winds 15-25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected with higher winds possible within a passing line of showers and storms.
This has local schools on alert. Here's what we know:
Aiken County school district said on its website the wind speed forecasts exceed the threshold allowed for school buses, so students will shift to distance learning on Wednesday. Employees should plan to report to their work location on a two-hour delayed start, with no building or office opening before 10 a.m.
Afterschool extracurricular practices, games, and events will continue tomorrow as scheduled. There will be no QuestZone.
Guilty: 14 convicted in Georgia for 'large-scale' dog fighting event. What they're facing
Aiken Technical College said via Facebook they are closely monitoring local weather forecasts. As of Tuesday evening, the college had planned to continue with normal operations, including regularly scheduled classes and labs.
Community members are encouraged to follow the guidance of their local emergency management officials regarding travel on Wednesday. Those who cannot safely travel to or from campus should communicate with their instructor (for students) or supervisor (for employees) as soon as possible.
No information has been released on what, if anything, is changing at Augusta Tech.
No information has been released on what, if anything, is changing at Augusta University.
No information has been released on what, if anything, is changing at Burke County schools.
No information has been released on what, if anything, is changing at Columbia County schools.
Richmond County School System noted on its website that, due to high winds creating unsafe driving conditions, Wednesday is a distance learning day. All extracurricular activities are canceled.
Teachers will communicate with students and families through platforms like Remind or Class Dojo, and assignments will be available in Canvas or SeeSaw for younger students. Student assignments should be turned in to their teachers no later than midnight on Monday, March 10.
The school district tentatively plans to resume normal operations on Thursday but is closely monitoring the weather.
No information has been released on what, if anything, is changing at USC Aiken.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta-area schools open, closed ahead of windy weather Wednesday
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
I-90 West reopens after flooding shut highway down for hours near Lakewood
LAKEWOOD, Ohio (WJW) — Traffic was backed up after flood conditions shut down a portion of Interstate 90 in Lakewood Monday evening. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, the westbound lanes were blocked on I-90 at McKinley Avenue but have since reopened. Ohio Task Force 1 returns home after aiding in historic Texas flooding search The left two lanes were blocked on I-90 East at Warren Road/Bunds Road but have since reopened. Video taken from ODOT cameras shows cars backed up in the westbound lanes and vehicles driving through ponding spots in the eastbound lanes. Major road work starting soon on I-90 in Rocky River, Lakewood, Cleveland Lakewood Firefighters Local 382 took to social media on Monday, warning drivers about the closures. 'Find an alternative route,' the post said on Facebook. 'Turn around don't drown!' According to the FOX 8 weather team, scattered thunderstorms and rains would be moving through the region this evening. Some of the downpours led to ponding on the roads and flooding. Keep up with weather conditions here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
What is a derecho? These 'inland hurricanes' can cause tremendous damage
The forecast is worrisome: The National Weather Service predicted late-afternoon thunderstorms would congeal into a derecho over eastern South Dakota by the evening of July 28. Then, the storm and winds, which could reach hurricane force in some areas, will move into parts of southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, forecasters said. Sometimes referred to as an inland hurricane, derechos are among weather's most destructive phenomena. But what, exactly, is a derecho? What is a derecho? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines a derecho (duh-RAY'-choh) as "a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms." Derechos can pack lethal gusts in excess of 100 mph – hurricane strength – across a front stretching for many miles, and lasting for hours. Storms that have sustained winds of at least 58 mph and leave a path of damage at least 250 miles long qualify as derechos, according to the National Weather Service. Classic derechos can cause extensive damage, leading to massive power outages and toppling tons of trees. Derechos are a relatively rare event, as they only tend to occur from once a year to once every four years across portions of the eastern two-thirds of the United States, according to the National Weather Service. 'People should take these storms seriously,' weather service meteorologist Brian Barjenbruch said. 'These winds are incredibly strong.' 70% of derechos strike from May through August A 700-mile derecho in June 2012 that roared into Washington, D.C., topped 100 mph. Another derecho that blasted across the Midwest in August 2020 killed four people and left behind billions of dollars in damage. It had wind gusts that were estimated as high as 140 mph in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. By definition, a derecho should have winds that persist for at least six hours; however, they can last much longer. The 2020 Midwest derecho lasted for 14 hours. Most derechos, 70%, occur during the months of May through August, the weather service said. Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to the strength of tornadoes, the damage typically moves in one direction along a relatively straight swath, the weather service said. As a result, the term "straight-line wind damage" sometimes is used to describe derecho damage. Where did the term derecho come from? The term derecho was coined in 1888 by University of Iowa physics professor Gustavus Hinrichs, according to NOAA. The word is Spanish for "direct" or "straight." The term was used for a short time during the late 19th century, but it disappeared from English use for nearly 100 years, until meteorologists starting using the term again in the mid-1980s. The Storm Prediction Center, part of the weather service, determines whether a storm is officially classified as a derecho. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is a derecho? Storm can bring hurricane-force winds. Solve the daily Crossword


Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
This homemade 'cool collar' is the ultimate heatwave hack, and it won't cost you a dime
With heatwaves becoming a growing concern in the U.S., and the National Weather Service reporting that half the country is under active heat advisories, there is an increasing concern about staying safe in the heat. However, other hacks that can keep you cool in a heatwave without costing you a dime, and they are eco-friendly too, so you don't have to spend your days feeling like you're trapped in a sauna. To help you beat the heatwave and stay chilled, try out my cooling hack that only uses one item that you'll find around your home. This summer's spate of heatwaves seems endless, with the thermometer permanently settled in the red zone. And there appears to be no other choice than to spend your days face-up against a cooling fan or with your smart air conditioner on full pelt. Both options will ramp up your energy bill, while having access to cooling fans and air conditioning is not a universal option for everyone, and the cost of running these appliances can also be prohibitive for some. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), electricity consumption for air conditioning accounts for 19% of electricity in U.S. homes. 1. Take a small towel, measuring approximately 10 x 18 inches — about the size of a small hand towel or dish towel. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 2. Wet the towel through with cold water, and wring it out. 3. Roll the towel lengthwise and form it into a 'U' shape. 4. Place it flat in the freezer and leave for about one hour. 5. Once it has frozen, remove it from the freezer and place it around your neck. 6. The towel will act as a cooling aid to help reduce your body heat. Constructed from Frogg Togg's hyper-evaporative material that retains water, this reusable towel provides cooling relief and sun protection. Wetting the towel in water allows it to activate quickly and cool up to 30 degrees. According to Medical News Today, applying a cold compress to pulse points on the body can help reduce body temperature. These key areas include the neck, chest, wrist, and temples, and are where large blood vessels are close to the skin's surface. Once a cold object is placed on a pulse point, there is an immediate cooling effect. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.