Several schools delayed or closed for forecasted severe weather

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Schools in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee will be delayed on Tuesday due to significant weather.

These schools will be on a two-hour delay for January 9.

List of school delays:

• Calhoun City Schools
• Catoosa County Schools
• CCS
• Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy
• Chattanooga Preparatory School
• Chattooga County Schools
• Cherokee County Schools
• Chickamauga City Schools
• Dade County Schools
• DeKalb County Schools
• Fort Payne City Schools
• Grundy County Schools
• Hamilton County Schools
• Jackson County Schools
• Marion County Schools
• Murray County Schools
• Oakwood Christian Academy
• Richard Hardy Memorial School
• Skyuka Hall
• Scottsboro City Schools
• Walker County Schools
• Whitfield County Schools

List of school closings:

• Athens City Schools
• Bledsoe County Schools
• Bradley County Schools
• Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence
• Cleveland City Schools
• Cleveland Christian School
• Dayton City Schools
• Etowah City Schools
• McMinn County Schools
• Meigs County Schools
• Polk County Schools
• Rhea County Schools
• Sequatchie County

This is due to projected high winds of up to 60 mph in the area.

The school systems said the winds may be approaching at the time buses normally pick up students in the morning.

“The delayed start will allow our bus drivers to conduct pickups during daylight hours, ensuring a safer journey to school by navigating any potential debris or challenges caused by the weather,” Murray County Schools explained.

Stronger wind gusts are expected in higher elevations. Lower elevations may face winds around 20-30 mph.

Much of the area is in a wind advisory, according to the National Weather Service. This advisory will last until Tuesday evening.

The NWS warns that high winds may blow around unsecured objects or tree limbs, and power outages may occur.