Forecasts of bone-chilling weather continue as most students in the region head back to school this week.
School officials recommend that children bundle up and try to be at their bus stops as close to bus-arrival time as possible so they don’t have to wait too long in cold morning temperatures, which are expected to dip into the low teens in most areas.
“Due to the extremely cold weather, our buses will remain at bus stops a little longer so children can wait inside their home or car for the bus to arrive,” said Catoosa County Public Schools spokeswoman Marissa Brower.
Bradley County, Tenn., where students returned to class Tuesday, hasn’t changed any transportation schedules due to cold weather, said Assistant to the Director of Schools Sammie Humphrey.
“Everything’s going smooth so far this week,” Ms. Humphrey said.
National Weather Service senior forecaster Rob Handel in Peachtree City, Ga., said students headed for school in the morning can expect temperatures in the low- to mid-teens across the region for the next week. Wind chills could push temperatures into the single digits as the next weather system moves in overnight tonight, Mr. Handel said.
Afterward, “winds will be down … but still quite chilly for those kids in the morning,” he said.
Forecasts predict a 60 percent chance of snowfall Thursday with accumulations ranging between 1 to 3 inches in the valleys and more in higher elevations, he said.
“Everyone should be paying attention to the potential for snow on Thursday and into early Friday,” Mr. Handel said. Accumulation predictions will be more refined later in the week, he said.
Walker County Coordinator of Student Services Chris Chambers and other area officials suggest that parents dress children in layered clothing, warm socks, heavy shoes or boots, tightly buttoned coats and a warm head covering.
Meanwhile, Walker County officials, like those in other North Georgia counties, will keep an eye on snowy weather as the week wears on, said spokeswoman Elaine Womack.
“Heat and air systems are centrally controlled … so classrooms will be warm by the time kids get to school,” she said.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Go to the Chattanooga Times Free Press Web site at www.timesfreepress.com for the latest weather and information on school closings.