School Closings And Delays Spread Across Far East Tennessee After Snow Advisory
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory that has prompted widespread school closings and delays in far East Tennessee for Monday, Feb. 23. The advisory and hazardous outlook matter now because forecasters expect accumulations up to 4 inches and slippery roads that could affect the Monday morning and evening commutes.
National Weather Service Winter Weather Advisory
The National Weather Service warned of "occasional snow showers through Monday night" and described conditions as very cold and windy. Most of East Tennessee is under a hazardous weather outlook as flurries started to fall and temperatures dropped. Forecasters said accumulations of up to 4 inches are expected, with even higher totals at the top of Great Smoky Mountains peaks, and advised people to plan on slippery road conditions that could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes.
School Closings And Delays: County-by-County List
Several districts announced changes for Monday, Feb. 23. The list of school closings and delays includes the following entries and will be updated:
- Campbell County Schools: Closed for Monday, Feb. 23
- Carter County School District: Closed Monday, Feb. 23
- Claiborne County Schools: Closed for Monday, Feb. 23
- Cocke County Schools: Two-hour delay for Monday, Feb. 23
- Grainger County Schools: Closed for Monday, Feb. 23
- Heritage Christian Academy: Two-hour delay for Monday, Feb. 23
- Johnson County Schools: Closed Monday, Feb. 23
- Rogersville City School: Closed for Monday, Feb. 23
- Scott County Schools: Closed for Monday, Feb. 23. Central Office and related departments are on a two-hour delay.
- Sevier County Schools: Two-hour delay for Monday, Feb. 23
- Unicoi County Schools: No in-person learning - virtual learning begins at 10 a. m. Lunches will be available for pickup for all students at either Unicoi Elementary or Unicoi High School between 11 a. m. and 1 p. m. Students can go to whichever school is closer to them.
- Union County Schools: Closed for Monday, Feb. 23 Central Office will be open.
Unicoi County Schools Move to Virtual Instruction
Unicoi County Schools will not hold in-person classes and will begin virtual learning at 10 a. m. Monday. The district has arranged lunch pickup for all students at two locations — Unicoi Elementary and Unicoi High School — between 11 a. m. and 1 p. m., and administrators said students may pick up meals at whichever school is closer to them.
Knoxville and Oak Ridge Remain on Schedule
Heavy snowfall was not predicted for Knoxville or Oak Ridge, and schools in those cities are on schedule for Monday. That contrast underscores why some districts closed or delayed while adjacent areas continued regular operations: the storm's impacts are uneven across the region, with mountain summits expected to see higher totals.
Road Conditions and Commute Risks
Road conditions are expected to be slippery as temperatures fall and flurries continue. The weather service specifically cautioned that hazardous conditions could affect both the morning and evening commutes on Monday. The timing matters because morning delays and virtual transitions will alter bus routes, central office operations and family plans across the affected counties.
This list will be updated as districts revise plans for Monday, Feb. 23.
