WRAL TV Latest School Closings and Delays

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When unpredictable North Carolina weather strikes—whether it’s a winter snowstorm, hurricane-force winds, or flooding—staying informed is the first priority for families. WRAL TV is the primary resource for school and business closings across the Triangle and surrounding counties.

Current School Closings and Delays Status

How to Check the WRAL Closing List

WRAL provides several ways to access their live “Closings & Delays” database, which is updated the moment a superintendent or business owner submits a status change.

Online Database: The most comprehensive way to check is the WRAL.com Closings Page. You can search for specific schools, daycares, or government offices alphabetically.
WRAL News App: Download the app on iOS or Android and enable “Breaking News” and “Weather” alerts. This allows you to receive a push notification the second your specific county makes an announcement.
On-Air Ticker: During WRAL News broadcasts (starting at 4:30 AM), a rolling ticker at the bottom of the screen lists active closings by county.

Understanding the Terms

North Carolina school districts use specific terminology to describe how they are handling inclement weather:

Status	Impact on Students
Closed (No Remote)	Schools are completely closed; no instruction is expected. This usually requires a makeup day later in the year.
Remote Learning Day	Buildings are closed, but students are expected to log in for virtual classes. These do not typically require a makeup day.
2-Hour Delay	School and bus pickups start exactly two hours later than normal. Breakfast is usually not served on these days.
Early Dismissal	Students are sent home several hours early to avoid incoming weather (common during afternoon snow or severe storms).

How Decisions are Made

In the Triangle, the decision to close is a complex process. Superintendents often begin “weather calls” as early as 3:30 AM. According to WRAL meteorologists, the key factors include:

Bus Safety: Large school buses become dangerous to operate if wind gusts exceed 30-40 mph.
Temperature: If temperatures are below freezing ( $32^\circ\text{F}$ or $0^\circ\text{C}$ ), even a small amount of moisture can create “black ice,” which is nearly invisible to drivers.
Power Outages: If a significant number of schools in a district lose power or internet, the district will opt for a full closure rather than remote learning.

Get the latest school closings, cancellations, and delays. View school closures for North Carolina from WRAL TV. Get the latest Raleigh area news, weather forecasts, I-40 traffic, ACC and high school sports, strange news and blogs for Central and Eastern North Carolina

WRAL-TV, virtual channel 5, is an NBC-affiliated television station licensed to Raleigh, North Carolina, United States and serving the Triangle region.-Wikipedia