News Summary
Multiple school districts in Middle Tennessee are closing their facilities or delaying operations due to extreme cold and flu outbreaks. Cheatham, Robertson, and Dickson County Schools have announced closures, citing high flu case numbers and hazardous weather conditions. A significant winter storm is expected to impact the region, with snow accumulation ranging from 4 to 6 inches. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for both cold temperatures and flooding, urging residents to take precautions as travel conditions may deteriorate.
Nashville, Tennessee – Multiple school districts across Middle Tennessee are announcing closures and delays for Friday, February 21, due to extreme cold temperatures and ongoing flu outbreaks. Cheatham and Robertson County Schools were among the first to declare closures on Thursday afternoon, as lingering effects from a winter storm continue to impact the region.
Additionally, Dickson County Schools is also closing its facilities as it contends with high flu case numbers within its schools. Tennessee currently ranks fourth in the United States for flu activity, according to data from Walgreens, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the state as experiencing high flu activity levels.
Regions throughout Tennessee are facing hazardous weather conditions: in addition to severe cold, various areas have experienced storm damage and several inches of rain earlier in the week, with more adverse weather forecasted. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for portions of Middle Tennessee, set to remain in effect until 7 a.m. on Sunday.
While Cheatham County’s extended daycare program will maintain operations from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, there will be no extracurricular activities or community access to school facilities. Conversely, daycare services in Robertson County will be closed on Friday, as communicated by the Schools Director.
The region is bracing for a significant winter storm that is expected to impact Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky early Friday morning. Snowfall is predicted to begin in the western regions of Middle Tennessee between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., progressively moving eastward throughout the morning. Areas like Nashville and along I-65 can expect snowfall to commence between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m., while regions on the Cumberland Plateau should prepare for snow to start between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Steady snowfall throughout Friday is anticipated, with potential for heavy bands of snow that could exacerbate travel issues. Total snow accumulation is forecasted to range from 4 to 6 inches in most regions of Middle Tennessee, and as road conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly, travel and airport operations could be significantly affected.
Due to the dangerously cold temperatures, the National Weather Service has also issued a Cold Weather Advisory for the area. On Friday morning, wind chill values are anticipated to plummet between zero and 7 degrees Fahrenheit. Authorities are advising residents to dress in layers, take precautions to protect vulnerable individuals, pets, and plumbing, and stay updated on changing weather conditions.
School districts are expected to continue monitoring the situation, with updates regarding closures and delays to follow as additional announcements are made. Parents and guardians are encouraged to check with their local school authorities for the latest information.
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Additional Resources
- FOX 17 News
- Wikipedia: School Closure
- The Tennessean
- Google Search: Nashville school closures
- WSMV News
- Google Scholar: Nashville school closures
- News Channel 5
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Closures
- The Tennessean – Weather Closures
- Google News: Nashville area school closures
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CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
