Officials with Metro Nashville Public Schools have kept a close eye on the weather as a front bringing snow, sleet and freezing rain moves into the area.
“The concern about this storm is, it has been so cold the last couple of days that any moisture of any kind, snow, freezing rain, ice, whatever it is, is going to turn into ice on the pavement.” Fred Carr, CEO of Metro Schools, said on Tuesday.
As of Tuesday evening, many schools has announced closures, but Metro School officials had yet to make a determination.
“Is it safe for school buses to travel, that is the determining factor.” Carr explained.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Middle Tennessee area until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Winter Weather Advisory: Wednesday for most of TN & Kentucky Winter Storm Watch for part of KY More #NOWonNC5 pic.twitter.com/qmXFrc16kS
— Lelan Statom (@NC5_LelanStatom) January 19, 2016
School officials are preparing for potential problems the extreme cold can cause for school buses, and they're ready to go in case schools are closed or delayed.
Check the latest school closings on our Snow Watch page
According to the National Weather Service, the front is expected to bring a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain to the mid-state.
MNPS officials said they want to make a decision by 4:30 a.m. as to whether or not buses would run. However, they added that there may be a need to revise the decision later in the morning due to changing weather conditions.
Officials said they take the decision seriously, knowing how it can impact a family. “Parents have to provide care for their children that they haven’t planned on doing, so we’re very sensitive to how it impacts Nashville when we close schools." Carr said.
Read more from Metro Schools: http://on.nc5.co/1S1ORKh
