SC school districts announce changes amid threat for severe weather on Wednesday
COLUMBIA, S.C. — With the potential for severe weather on Wednesday, including high winds, some Midlands school districts are altering plans for school.
A strong line of storms is expected to bring the potential for severe weather across the Midlands on Wednesday. The system could bring wind gusts over 65 miles per hour, rendering school bus operations unsafe.
Here’s a list of school changes we know of so far.
Schools will be closed on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Having exhausted allocated eLearning days, the district will be closed on Wednesday, and all afternoon activities will be cancelled.
All athletic events and practices scheduled for Wednesday, March 5th, will be canceled.
Fairfield County Schools will operate on a 3-hour delay on Wednesday.
Lexington One is canceling school for students on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, due to the threat of severe weather.
Employees should report to work at 10 a.m. and professional development activities scheduled for the afternoon will proceed as planned.
Afternoon extracurricular activities will proceed as scheduled.
Lexington Two schools will operate on a two-hour delayed start on Wednesday, March 5. Students and staff should arrive two hours later than the normal morning start time.
During morning runs, buses will operate two hours later than their normal operation times. Students who are car riders also should plan to arrive at school two hours later.
As a result of the delayed start, all 3K half-day child development classes are cancelled.
While Wednesday’s classes will start two hours later than the normal schedule, afternoon dismissal will be at the normal time. All after-school activities will go on as scheduled Wednesday afternoon.
Lexington County School District Three will shift to an eLearning Day on Wednesday. All after-school events including sports practices, sports games, meetings, adult education classes, etc. scheduled for Wednesday, March 5th are cancelled.
Lexington District Four will be on a two hour delay on Wednesday, March 5. Students and staff should report two hours later than usual, and the remainder of the day will proceed on normal schedule.
School District Five schools and offices, including the virtual FIVE program, will operate on a two-hour delay, tomorrow, March 5, 2025. As a result, all students and staff should report two hours later than their normal time.
School bus routes will run 2 hours after normal route pick up times. For any additional delays regarding school bus pick up, families will be notified by the school district’s automated telephone system. Breakfast will be provided when students arrive at school.
The SAT exam being administered at high schools will be postponed to Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Half-day preschool classes will not meet.
Orangeburg County School District will be closed on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Additionally, all athletic events and extracurricular activities scheduled for March 5 are postponed.
Richland One will operate on a two-hour delayed start schedule on Wednesday. Students should report to school two hours later than their normal start times.
Breakfast will not be served to students Wednesday due to the delayed start, but lunch will be served. Afterschool programs, activities and events will proceed as normal.
Under the two-hour delayed start, the adjusted school start times are: 9:30 a.m. (elementary schools); 10:45 a.m. (middle schools); and 10 a.m. (high schools). Students who ride the bus to school should report to their bus stops two hours later than normal. For example: If a bus is normally scheduled to pick up students at 7 a.m., the bus will pick up students Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Richland School District Two will operate on a 2-hour delay on Wednesday.
A two-hour delay means:
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College will open at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 5.
Check back for updates as they become available.
Calhoun County
Clarendon County
Fairfield County
Lexington One
Lexington Two
Lexington Three
Lexington Four
Lexington-Richland Five
Orangeburg County
Richland One
Richland Two
Colleges & Universities
Some schools are making changes Wednesday morning due to stormy weather.
Some schools are making changes Wednesday morning due to stormy weather.
Cherokee County School District released a statement:
“Cherokee County School District will hold an E-learning day on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Depending on the grade-level, teachers will communicate with parents, guardians, and/or students with regards to assignment completion.
“This afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a strong wind advisory for the Upstate. This advisory is in effect from 4 AM to 7 PM and projects sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph. In accordance with state regulations, bus operations must be suspended when wind gusts exceed 45 mph, as these conditions render travel unsafe for high profile vehicles like busses.
“The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority and obligation; as a result of the potential driving hazards for busses that are posed by this weather event, the decision to hold an E-learning day ensures safety for our students.
“Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.”
Spartanburg School District Three posted on Facebook:
“Spartanburg School District Three will hold an eLearning Day on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.
“This afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a strong wind advisory for the Upstate. The advisory is in effect from 4 am to 7 pm, with sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts reaching up to 50 mph. When we are under a wind advisory, sustained winds of 31-39 mph with higher gusts are expected. The state requires that we keep buses off the road when local sustained winds are above 30 mph or when wind gusts are 45 mph or higher. We are expecting winds between 31-39 mph and gusts in our area around 50 mph.
“Although we regret having to be on an eLearning Day tomorrow, D3 will abide by state regulations as the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.”
Spartanburg School District Four posted on Facebook:
“WEATHER UPDATE: Spartanburg School District Four will be CLOSED tomorrow, Wednesday, March 5th, with no expectation of eLearning. This afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a strong wind advisory for the Upstate, with wind gusts reaching 50 mph. State guidelines specify buses should not operate under these conditions. Thank you for your understanding as the safety of our students and staff remains a top priority.”
Spartanburg School District Six posted on Facebook:
“Spartanburg District Six will hold an E-learning day on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. This afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a strong wind advisory for the Upstate. The advisory is in effect from 4 AM to 7 PM, with sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts reaching up to 50 mph. In accordance with state regulations, bus operations must be suspended when wind gusts exceed 45 mph, making travel unsafe. Given the potential driving hazards, the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Depending on the grade-level, teachers will communicate with parents and/or students regarding any assignments that should be completed. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.”
Spartanburg School District Seven posted on Facebook:
“Spartanburg School District 7 Closure Announcement – Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
“Due to the strong wind advisory in effect from 4 AM to 7 PM by the National Weather Service, Spartanburg District 7 schools will be closed on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
“Forecasts indicate sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph. In accordance with state safety regulations, school bus operations must be suspended when gusts exceed 45 mph, making travel unsafe for our students and staff.
“Unlike other weather-related closures earlier this year, this will not be an eLearning day, as we have exhausted our allotted eLearning days for the year.
“The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this weather-related closure. Please take all necessary precautions, stay safe, and look out for one another. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Thursday.”
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Some schools are making changes Wednesday morning due to stormy weather.
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WYFF GREENVILLE
High winds prompt e-learning day for Upstate districts
WSPA 7NEWS
by: Robert Cox, Joanna Johnson, Isabel Martin
Posted: Mar 4, 2025 / 06:14 PM EST
Updated: Mar 4, 2025 / 08:17 PM EST
(WSPA) – Several Upstate school districts will switch to e-learning due to expected high winds Wednesday morning.
Spartanburg County School District 6, and Spartanburg School District Three, and the Cherokee County School District have all announced a virtual day due to gusty winds.
Spartanburg District 7 has canceled school and will not have an e-learning day, as the district has used all allotted e-learning days for the school year.
Spartanburg School District 5 said all schools in their district will be closed and students will not have an e-learning day.
Spartanburg School District 4 said schools will be closed and there will be no expectation of e-learning.
According to the districts, bus operations are suspended when wind gusts exceed 45 miles per hour.
A wind advisory issued by the National Weather Service said winds could gust up to 50 between 4 a.m. and 7 p.m.
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