Schools Shift to Remote Learning as Winter Storm Hits North Carolina

Parents and students adjust to changes as several districts close or go virtual due to unsafe road conditions

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:31pm

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Several school districts across North Carolina have transitioned to remote learning or closed entirely due to the winter storm that hit the state over the weekend. While some parents expressed concerns about the logistical and financial strain of the changes, others agreed it was the best call for safety reasons. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Wake County Public Schools, and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are among the districts that opted for remote instruction on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Why it matters

The shift to remote learning due to the winter storm highlights the ongoing challenges schools and families face in adapting to weather-related disruptions. It also raises questions about the impact on working parents who may lack backup childcare options when schools close unexpectedly.

The details

Several school districts, including Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, were closed on Tuesday due to unsafe road conditions. Other districts, such as Wake County Public Schools, Buncombe County Schools, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, opted for remote learning. In the case of CMS, the district said all buildings would remain closed to allow teams time to prepare schools and ensure safety.

  • On Tuesday, January 28, 2026, several school districts in North Carolina transitioned to remote learning due to the winter storm.
  • On Wednesday, January 29, 2026, the Wake County Public School System and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will also be on remote instruction.

The players

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

A large public school district serving the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Wake County Public School System

The largest school district in North Carolina, serving the Raleigh metropolitan area.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

A public school district serving Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, North Carolina.

Sarah Ekis

A parent whose son attends kindergarten at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Kayleigh Mayhew

A senior at East Mecklenburg High School in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district.

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What they’re saying

“When he was in preschool, we had to get online and do some Zoom stuff, and that's harder. It's harder to do it that way. With the packet coming home, we can do it at our own time.”

— Sarah Ekis, Parent

“A shift to remote learning creates a logistical and financial strain for working families who no longer have backup child care options.”

— Anonymous, Parent

“A lot has to do with the buses and just how big of a district CMS is just because here I might not be experiencing, any like power outages or really bad repercussions from the storm, that doesn't mean people in other parts of the county aren't.”

— Kayleigh Mayhew, High School Senior

What’s next

School districts in North Carolina are allowed to declare up to five remote learning days per calendar year for emergency situations and severe weather. It remains to be seen if additional remote learning days will be necessary as the winter storm continues to impact the region.

The takeaway

The shift to remote learning due to the winter storm highlights the ongoing challenges schools and families face in adapting to weather-related disruptions. While some parents expressed concerns about the logistical and financial strain, the decision to prioritize student and staff safety was widely supported, underscoring the need for flexible and responsive education policies in the face of unpredictable weather events.