Hamilton County, Bradley County and Cleveland City schools will be closed Friday due to potential severe weather in the Chattanooga area, according to news releases.
Hamilton County School Age Child Care sites will be closed and 12-month employees may work remotely, a release states.
All after-school Friday activities in Cleveland and Bradley County are also postponed, but changes will be announced if the situation improves by that time, the release states.
Another storm system is expected to move into the area Friday morning that may carry additional showers and possibly severe thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service. The main concern with the possible storms is damaging straight-line winds, which would have the potential to produce an isolated tornado.
(READ MORE: How to stay safe during severe weather in the Chattanooga area)
Hamilton, Bradley, Polk, Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea, Meigs, McMinn and Marion counties, among others in the area, are under a high wind watch from Friday morning through late Friday night. Damaging winds could reach up to 58 mph with the potential to topple trees, down power lines and complicate travel, the weather service said.
Residents are encouraged to check for updates and fasten or shelter loose objects in a safe location before the onset of high winds.
(READ MORE: National Weather Service confirms tornado hit Birchwood area Thursday)
– Compiled by Kim Sebring