CMS to close Monday
Plus: A roundup of other closures and updates on how the storm's aftermath is affecting Charlotte
Good afternoon! Today is Sunday, February 1, 2026, and we’re coming to you with some breaking news.
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All CMS locations will be closed tomorrow after 11 inches of snow falls on Charlotte
by Ashley Fahey
Following this weekend’s snowstorm, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said this afternoon that all of its district, school and work locations will be closed tomorrow.
This includes the cancellation of all school activities and programs, including Before-School Enrichment Programs and After-School Enrichment Programs, as well as Community Use of Schools.
This instructional day is being waived by the superintendent, so CMS will not be using a designated make-up instructional day on the 2025-26 academic calendar.
The district also said it is closely watching weather conditions for mid-year graduation ceremonies that are scheduled for Thursday, with Feb. 12 as a potential alternate date. Additional information will be shared this week.
The distribution date for K-12 report cards for traditional schools has also been changed to Friday.
All CMS buildings will remain closed to allow ice and debris to be cleared from school campuses, to check bus routes and secondary roadways, and to confirm that schools are ready to reopen, CMS said.
CMS will continue to monitor National Weather Service updates and send information about district or school schedule changes via the CMS website, social media and ParentSquare (email, text and phone call), if necessary.
Here’s more information about CMS’ Inclement Weather monitoring and procedures.
The decision comes after CMS operated under a modified schedule all last week after icy weather last weekend. The school system was closed last Monday, operated remotely on Tuesday and Wednesday, then had a two-hour delay on Thursday and Friday.
Parents, hang in there.
Ashley Fahey is The Charlotte Ledger’s managing editor. Reach her at ashley@cltledger.com.
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A few other snow-related updates …
Steve Lyttle of Weather With Steve wrote in his morning update today that “it’ll be a few days before life approaches ‘normal’ again.” He added: “Road crews worked throughout the night, but even the interstate highways are partially covered in snow or slush. Secondary roads are snow-covered and an adventure (perhaps a bad one) for anyone who wants to take a chance.” The rest of the week is forecasted to bring a slow warm-up.
The Ledger asked the city how the Charlotte Department of Transportation crews would prioritize which roads to plow and if it could offer an estimated timeframe for roads to be clear. A spokesperson for the city responded with this: “The City of Charlotte’s Street Maintenance crews are working around the clock to clear roads along top-priority routes, including major thoroughfares and corridors serving hospitals and other vital services. While today’s sunshine will help dry many streets, any remaining moisture may refreeze in shaded areas and overnight. We urge residents to stay home while crews continue this work. If travel is necessary, please allow extra time and drive with caution.”
Mecklenburg County offices and services will be closed tomorrow, and activation of extreme weather protocols and expanded homeless shelter capacity remains in effect until at least Tuesday. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library branches and all Park and Recreation facilities are also closed tomorrow.
Duke Energy said extremely cold temperatures (10 to 20 degrees below normal) are driving unusually high energy demand across the East Coast, including locally. As a result, power supplies are limited. The utility encouraged people to cut back on energy use from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. tomorrow. Here’s what you can do.
The Charlotte Area Transit System will delay the start of bus and Lynx Blue Line services on Monday until noon. Bus service will operate on detours. Because of the late start time, express bus service is suspended. CATS Micro services will begin operating at noon and end at 6 p.m. The Lynx Gold Line streetcar remains suspended at this time. CATS is continuing to clear transit facilities, rail platforms, bus stops and other transit infrastructure, but transit riders should be extra cautious at bus stops and station platforms, as they may be slippery. And, CATS requests that if a bus stop in your neighborhood needs snow removal, to clear a path that will allow people to find it.
—Ashley Fahey
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