Tuscaloosa area schools announce plans as bitter cold arrives

• Tuscaloosa County and City schools canceled classes and activities due to frigid temperatures and potential ice.
• The University of Alabama and Shelton State Community College also canceled all scheduled activities.
• City offices in Tuscaloosa and Northport announced delayed openings for the day.
• The Tuscaloosa area was placed under a cold weather advisory with overnight lows expected to drop into the teens.

Frigid temperatures forecast for Jan. 26 in the aftermath of a soaking weekend rain have affected plans for classes in Tuscaloosa County.

The Tuscaloosa County School System said all classes and extracurricular activities have been canceled. Tuscaloosa City Schools has also decided to close for the day.

A message from the Tuscaloosa County School System’s superintendent states: “The forecast for late Sunday into Monday calls for extremely cold temperatures, with temperatures likely not rising above freezing Monday. With the amount of moisture on the ground, there is concern about ice on roads and bridges Monday, especially on less traveled roads. Safety is our top priority, and we must make the safest decision for all of students, faculty, and staff.”

The University of Alabama and Shelton State Community College said all scheduled Jan. 26 activities have been canceled.

The Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority announced all activity centers will delay opening until noon and all will close by 6 p.m.

The city of Tuscaloosa said that City Hall and its offices will delay opening until 10 a.m. Monday’s garbage, trash and recycling routes will begin collection at 10 a.m.  Municipal Court dockets are canceled. Anyone who was scheduled to appear in court Jan. 26, should contact the court for a new date by calling 205-248-5330. Orientation for new hires with the human resources department will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Northport City Hall will also delay opening until 10 a.m.

The Tuscaloosa area is under a cold weather advisory until 9 a.m. Jan. 27.

Overnight lows were expected to dip to 20 degrees, followed by partly sunny skies Jan. 26 and a high temperature of 35, according to the National Weather Service. Northwest winds of 5 to 10 miles per hour are expected.

The overnight low Jan. 26 could fall to 14 degrees.

(This story was updated to add new information.) 

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@usatodayco.com.  To support her work, please subscribe to The Tuscaloosa News.