Will Monroe Schools Be Closed for Weather on Friday?

Parents should be forwarned could be a last-minute decision early Friday (January 18) before school officials decide whether to cancel classes for that day.

At the moment, classes are still on for Walton County Public Schools students, but officials are monitoring the situation, according to WCPS spokesman Kim Embry.

"We have a very comprehensive inclement weather plan," Embry said. "We watch the roads overnight and if there is any concern in the morning, we will make the decision."

Embry said if they decide to cancel school or delay pickup of students, parents would be notified before 6 a.m.

"We do a call out, post on our website and call the local radio and television stations," Embry said. "There are several different ways this can play out - either cancel school altogether, delay for a couple of hours or just have the 12 month employees report. But we would notify parents before the students head for the bus stop.

And given the nature of the current weather forecasts, it likely will be a last-minute decision. The National Weather service has talked of the possibility of snow and black ice late Thursday and into early Friday.

Black ice is roadway ice from residual moisture, not from what falls during a current weather system. The National Weather Service's latest prediction says:

Rain and snow likely, mainly before 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Northwest wind 10 to 15 m.p.h, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.