Jackson, Madison, Rankin schools closed Tuesday. JSU, MSU to go virtual due to winter storm
With extreme cold temperatures across the state Tuesday, many schools and universities have begun to announce closures on Tuesday.
The Jackson area will see a low of 12 degrees overnight according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures won't get above freezing until Wednesday afternoon.
Road conditions were hazardous throughout the Central Mississippi area, with many accidents along Interstate 55. A truck was reported jackknifed along I-55 near the Target store.
Sleet had made its way to downtown Jackson by around 7 p.m. Monday.
Belhaven cancels classes Tuesday
Due to the inclement weather, Belhaven University announced it "will cancel all classes tomorrow, January 16, 2024. Staff will work from home."
The university announced that for "the latest updates, please call the Inclement Weather Information line at 601-968-8998 or visit the Belhaven University website at www.belhaven.edu."
St. Andrew's closed Tuesday
St. Andrew's Episcopal School announced it will be closed on Tuesday "due to the potential for dangerous road conditions in the metro area."
All practices and events were also canceled.
MRA closed on Tuesday
Madison-Ridgeland Academy announced it would be closed on Tuesday.
"Due to the forecast of possible hazardous weather conditions and to ensure the safety of our students and staff, Madison-Ridgeland Academy will be closed Tuesday, January 16," the announcement stated. "All athletic events and after school activities are canceled as well."We will continue to monitor the weather conditions and keep you updated through email and our social media platforms. A decision about school on Wednesday will be made by 6 p.m. Tuesday."
PRCC, Jones College to cease operations until Wednesday morning; dorms stay open
Jones College will close all campus operations due to the expected winter weather threat in the region.
All campus locations at Jones will close at 9:30 p.m. Monday and remain closed until 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. All college operations will be closed Tuesday and all classes are canceled.
Dorms at Jones and PRCC will remain open to housing students during the closure.
Classes at PRCC will resume on at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Online classes will begin as scheduled at PRCC.
Jones will operate on a delayed start Wednesday. All employees should report to campus at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday but are encouraged to assess conditions in their areas before traveling. The college expects to return to regular operations Thursday.
Southern Miss delays opening to 10 a.m. Tuesday
The University of Southern Mississippi will delay opening its offices and holding classes until 10 a.m. Tuesday across all locations. Offices supporting students’ return to campus will be staffed to assist students.
Employees driving longer distances, through dangerous conditions or with children impacted by local school closures should use discretion and communicate directly with their supervisors if unable to report.
Classes and normal operations will resume Wednesday as scheduled.
Clinton, Vicksburg schools closed Tuesday
The Clinton Public School website announced its schools' closure for Tuesday.
“Due to predicted ice accumulations with temperatures remaining below freezing and hazardous travel conditions expected, all CPSD campuses and offices will remain closed on Tuesday, January 16. Instruction is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.”
Vicksburg also announced closure for its schools Tuesday.
The district announced that all schools and offices are to be closed Tuesday along with any extracurricular activities. The district will make a decision on Wednesday by 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Rankin County School District closed Tuesday
The Rankin County School District announced on its website that its schools would be closed Tuesday.
"At this time, we are under a Winter Storm Warning. Due to the possibly dangerous road conditions and low temperatures, the RCSD, after careful consideration and in collaboration with Rankin County Emergency Management officials and the National Weather Service, has decided that all schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 16th."
They also announced that all activities are also canceled.
Jackson schools closed Tuesday, all sports events canceled
Jackson Public Schools officials announced in a release that the district "will remain closed on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, due to a severe winter weather threat. There will be no virtual instruction.
JPS also announced all sports and other scheduled district events are canceled for Tuesday.
"This decision is based on anticipated ice accumulations and persistently freezing temperatures, possible power outages, along with the likelihood of hazardous travel conditions," the release stated. "We will closely monitor weather conditions to assess and notify you when it will be safe to resume our regular schedule."
Hattiesburg area schools announce closures
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory regarding “dangerously cold air” and a mix of wintry precipitation spreading across Forrest and Lamar counties through early Tuesday.
Forrest and Lamar Counties are under a significant threat, starting as early as 6 p.m. Monday.
Expect sleet and freezing rain accumulations. Travel may be impacted with likely light icing of roads, bridges and overpasses.
The Pine Belt can expect to see temperatures as low as 10 to 15 degrees, with wind chills as low as -10 to 1 degrees.
There is possible danger to exposed pipes during this time. City officials advise residents to stay off the road with the anticipated treacherous road conditions.
Hattiesburg area schools are beginning to announce closures for Tuesday:
Hattiesburg Public School District (will be doing virtual learning)
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Presbyterian Christian School
3D School
Lamar County School District
Forrest County School District
Petal School District
Jackson State University to go virtual on Tuesday
Officials announced that Jackson State University will go virtual on Monday.
Jackson State University will host virtual classes, and non-essential employees will telework on Tuesday according to a release "out of an abundance of caution for expected wintry weather conditions beginning the evening of Monday, Jan. 15, and leading into Tuesday, Jan 16, according to the National Weather Service. The University strongly discourages travel to the campus during this time."
Madison County Schools closed Tuesday
Madison County Schools announced its campus will be closed Tuesday.
"Approaching winter weather is expected to cause dangerous cold and treacherous road conditions in our area," a release said. "In the interest of safety, campuses and offices of Madison County Schools will be closed and there will be no classes on Tuesday."
William Carey closed Tuesday
All William Carey University locations will be closed tomorrow Tuesday "because of severe weather expected tonight and tomorrow. This includes WCU locations in Hattiesburg, Biloxi/Tradition and Baton Rouge, La."
Mississippi State to go remote on Tuesday
Mississippi State's campus will be operating remotely on Tuesday.
MSU’s Starkville and Meridian campuses are "being impacted by winter weather and will begin the spring semester Jan. 16 with remote operations," a release stated
Students can login to Canvas for course information from instructors.
"Severe winter weather has made driving conditions hazardous in Central and North Mississippi and are expected to continue to impact transportation Tuesday [Jan. 16]. Employees who can work remotely should do so," the release stated.
The University of Mississippi was not scheduled to resume classes on Tuesday in Oxford.
No announcement has been made on Jackson-area school closures for Tuesday. Most schools were closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther Jing Day.
This is a developing story. Please return to www.clarionledger.com for more information.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Live weather updates from Mississippi winter storm with school closures
