Wake County Schools Delayed Again Due to Ice and Snow

Continued threat of black ice forces 2-hour delay for student and staff safety

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:23pm

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The Wake County Public School System will operate on a two-hour delay on Wednesday due to the continued threat of black ice on roads and campuses. School officials say safety is the top priority, and the delay will allow time for roads and sidewalks to defrost so students and staff can safely commute and enter the buildings.

Why it matters

North Carolina's unpredictable winter weather can pose significant challenges for large school districts like Wake County, which has over 200 schools but only 5 snow plows. The district has had to carefully manage its limited salt supplies to clear campuses, and shaded areas with tree cover have been particularly difficult to clear, leading to repeated delays.

The details

According to Mark Strickland, the Chief of Facilities for Wake County Public Schools, the decision to delay was made due to the continued threat of black ice on roads and sidewalks around the district's campuses. While major roadways appear clear, Strickland said the district must ensure students and staff can safely walk into the buildings, and excessive snow or ice on campus could pose a danger. The district has been working 12-16 hour days to clear parking lots and salt campuses, but their salt supplies have been depleted after the last ice storm.

  • The delay will be in effect on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
  • Crews have been working since Sunday to clear campuses.

The players

Mark Strickland

Chief of Facilities for the Wake County Public School System.

Wake County Public School System

A large school district in North Carolina with over 200 schools.

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What they’re saying

“Safety is number one for all of us. If we can get to school on secondary and primary roads, that's one thing. Once we get to school we have to be able to get them in the building.”

— Mark Strickland, Chief of Facilities (CBS17)

What’s next

The district will continue to monitor the forecast and road conditions, and will order more salt supplies as needed to ensure campuses are clear for students and staff.

The takeaway

North Carolina's unpredictable winter weather can pose significant challenges for large school districts like Wake County, which must carefully manage limited resources like snow plows and salt to ensure student and staff safety during extreme conditions.