This is a developing story and will be updated
Update 1:30 p.m. Wednesday — Cumberland County Schools operating remotely Thursday
Cumberland County Schools will be operating on an asynchronous remote schedule Thursday due to continued low temperatures and icy road conditions, the school system stated. Students are to complete assignments independently at home; elementary and middle school students have five days to turn in an assignment, while high school students have three days.
Additionally, all district events and after-school activities have been canceled. This includes athletic practices. CCS employees are working remotely Thursday as well.
Update 10:30 a.m. Wednesday — closures across the county
Both county and city offices are closed for the day. This includes City Hall, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation facilities, Cumberland County Library locations and Cumberland County’s Department of Public Health.
“City street crews are actively plowing and treating city-maintained roads to ensure safer travel on current road conditions,” the City of Fayetteville’s closure announcement said. “Drivers are reminded to stay off the roads and if travel is necessary, be extra cautious while driving.”
FAST services are tentatively scheduled to resume operation at 1 p.m. The city’s trash and recycling services will be delayed until roads are cleared. However, the announcement encouraged residents to still put out their trash.
According to the garrison’s website, Fort Liberty is on a reduced manning status with only mission essential and weather emergency personnel on post.
“All personnel should avoid traveling as much as possible and continue to monitor weather in our area,” the website stated.
Womack Army Medical Center will be operating with only mission essential and adverse weather personnel, according to the garrison’s Facebook page. The only services open are inpatient services and the emergency department.
Cape Fear Valley Health outpatient facilities opened on a delay at 10 a.m. The health system’s hospitals and the Ambulatory Surgery Center are still open all day today.
Update 3:20 p.m. Tuesday — snow, travel and sledding forecasts
The weather forecasters have been updating their predictions for when, where and how much snow could come to Fayetteville and Cumberland County:
Some estimates:
- North Carolina’s Weather Authority: High risk of travel in eastern North Carolina, including Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
- National Weather Service: 1 to 2 inches in most of Cumberland County (less on the west side (Spring Lake, Fort Liberty. And possibly up to 3 inches in southeast Cumberland County east of the Cape Fear River.
- AccuWeather: 82% chance of up to an inch of snow, starting after 8 p.m.
- WRAL: 1 to 2 inches of snow on the northwest side of Cumberland County (Spring Lake, Fort Liberty, parts of Fayetteville); 2 to 3 inches in most of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Should you avoid driving? Yes. Will there be enough snow for sledding? Yes.
It’s going to be cold. The forecasts say temperatures today might get above freezing, but then go down late this afternoon and into the night.
Update 3 p.m. Tuesday – county commissioners meeting postponed, VA hospitals and clinics on delay
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has postponed tonight’s board meeting to 6:45 p.m. Monday.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is postponing appointments by three hours on Wednesday. This includes hospitals and clinics. Staff and veterans can arrive at 10 a.m., and the first appointments will be at 11 a.m.
“Virtual appointments will be fully maintained if possible. Please consider transitioning any face-to-face appointments to virtual or telehealth if possible,” the announcement says.
The VA facilities’ Emergency Department will remain open, it says.
Update 2:30 p.m. Tuesday – schools closed
The Cumberland County Board of Education announced Tuesday afternoon that the schools will be closed on Wednesday due to the snow forecast.
“Out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of students, employees, and families in mind, Cumberland County Schools (CCS) will be closed for students on Wednesday, Jan. 22, with employees working remotely,” the announcement says.
“All after-school activities, including athletic practices and events scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, and Wednesday, Jan. 22, are canceled,” it. “The district’s Prime Time Before & After School Program will close early today at 5 p.m. and will be closed on Wednesday.”
Also: “Students enrolled in classes at Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College, or through College Connections should contact their instructors for specific guidance regarding class schedules.”
Update Noon Tuesday DOT says it is ready to clear roads
The North Carolina Department of Transportation posted on X that major roads have been brined, crews will spread salt on roads overnight, and once there is a half-inch of accumulation and the brine and salt start melting the precipitation, snow plows will start scraping.
Update 11:30 a.m. Tuesday — snow forecasts
After various weather models since last week issued conflicting snow predictions for Fayetteville this week — from none to “light dusting” to several inches — forecasts on Tuesday began to settle down.
And officials and businesses are deciding whether to close or delay opening.
Some estimates:
- North Carolina’s Weather Authority: Snow to arrive between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. with 2 to 3 inches overnight.
- National Weather Service: 30% chance of snow after 5 p.m. 70% overnight with 1 to 2 inches possible.
- AccuWeather: 60% chance of snow after 8 p.m.
- WRAL: 1 to 2 inches of snow Tuesday evening into early Wednesday
It’s going to be cold. The forecasts say temperatures today might get above freezing, but then go down late this afternoon and into the night.
Closings and delays as of 11:30 a.m.
- Cumberland County Schools: Afterschool and athletic events canceled today. Announcement for Wednesday coming later today.
