Schools, governments announce changes ahead of winter weather

On January 21, 2025By Littum

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – Lowcountry school districts, colleges and government offices are announcing schedule changes this week ahead of expected winter weather.

School districts

Charleston County School District

The Charleston County School District will operate on a two-hour early dismissal schedule on Tuesday, officials said on Facebook. Kaleidoscope, after-school activities and all after-school programs scheduled for Tuesday have been cancelled.

Charleston County Schools will transition to eLearning and remote work on Wednesday. All school and district buildings will be closed today. Teachers or school administrators will provide specific instructions.

Any student or parent needing assistance with eLearning tools or platforms should contact the district’s IT Help Desk at 843-308-8181.

Berkeley County School District

Berkeley County Schools says the district will follow a half-day dismissal schedule on Tuesday.

Students will complete eLearning Day assignments on Wednesday via Schoology or SeeSaw. The student’s teacher or school will provide specific information about assignments.

After school programs, activities and athletics, to include practices and games, are canceled Tuesday and Wednesday.

Dorchester District Two

Dorchester County School District Two schools will follow their early release schedule on Tuesday.

Primary schools are released at 11, middle schools are released at

All after school activities are canceled until Tuesday and the district office closes at

The district will operate on an eLearning day on Wednesday.

Dorchester District Four

Dorchester County School District Four has chosen to take both Tuesday and Wednesday as eLearning days. Officials say they plan to continue monitoring the situation to make further decisions later this week.

Beaufort County School District

Beaufort County Schools will have a half day on Tuesday. Primary schools are dismissed at 11.45, and middle and high schools are dismissed at 12.45 p.m.

The district planned an eLearning and remote work day for Wednesday.

District buildings will be closed. All after-school classes on Tuesday and Wednesday are cancelled.

The district will announce a decision on Thursday’s schedule Wednesday afternoon.

Colleton County School District

Colleton County Schools will operate on an early dismissal schedule on Tuesday. All after-school activities, including sports activities, are canceled on Tuesday.

The policy committee meeting and the combined committee of the whole and regular school board meeting have been moved to January 28.

The school district will be closed Wednesday. March 7th will be the designated make-up day for Wednesday.

All after-school activities, including sporting events, are cancelled. CALC will follow the district’s schedule.

Georgetown County School District

The Georgetown County School District will operate on a half-day schedule on Tuesday. Primary schools are dismissed at 11. Middle schools are dismissed at 11.15 Middle and upper secondary schools are dismissed at 12.15.

All after-school activities, including athletic contests and practices, are canceled or postponed until Tuesday.

The district’s school board meeting scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled.

The district plans to release its schedule for Wednesday Tuesday afternoon.

Orangeburg County School District

Orangeburg County Schools will operate on an early dismissal schedule on Tuesday. Primary schools are dismissed at 11; middle/high schools are dismissed at 11.30, and high schools are dismissed at

All scheduled athletic events and recreational activities are postponed until further notice.

The district will monitor weather conditions and provide updates throughout the rest of the week.

Williamsburg County School District

The Williamsburg County School District will operate regular hours on Tuesday, but there will be no after-school activities.

There will be no school for Williamsburg County students on Wednesday. The district will hold an inclement weather day and all schools and district offices will be closed.

Managers say they will make a decision on Thursday based on Wednesday’s conditions.

Free & Private Schools

First Baptist School of Charleston

First Baptist School of Charleston dismisses at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, and the James Island campus dismisses at 2 p.m. All after-school and leisure activities have been cancelled. Both campuses will be closed and transitioning to eLearning on Wednesday.

Learn4Life High School

Learn4Life High School holds eLearning days on Tuesday and Wednesday. Live virtual classes start at 8.00 and noon.

School is scheduled to resume on Thursday according to a fixed schedule.

Palmetto Christian Academy

Palmetto Christian Academy will operate on a half-day schedule on Tuesday.

The school’s campus will be closed Wednesday and students will transition to distance learning.

Colleges and universities

Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University will transition to online learning starting at 13.00 Tuesday and continues through Wednesday.

Campus offices close at 1pm on Tuesday. Students scheduled to attend in-person instruction must log into Blackboard for further instruction. Although all events on campus are cancelled, dining will continue to be available to residents.

With the exception of essential staff and the dining hall, all offices and buildings will be closed Tuesday evening through Wednesday. Employees should discuss telecommuting options with their supervisor, including the school district’s early release schedules for those with children.

CSU plans to resume normal operations Thursday.

College of Charleston

The College of Charleston follows regular class and work schedules and forms on Tuesday with in-person classes beginning at 8 a.m. and regular campus opening hours beginning at 8.30.

However, all campus-based academic and business operations close at

School officials plan to release schedules for Wednesday by Tuesday afternoon. If weather forces a campus closure on Wednesday, the College will prioritize maintaining academic and work continuity in a remote/virtual environment to the extent possible.\

Residence halls will remain open and dining and necessary support services will continue to be provided.

Trident Technical College

Trident Technical College will move to virtual classes starting at 15 on Tuesday and continues until Wednesday.

Online and scheduled online meeting classes continue as scheduled. Students enrolled in in-person class should check D2L or their college email for specific instructions from their instructors.

Government offices

Charleston City Government

City offices in Charleston close at 15 on Tuesday and remain closed on Wednesday. All public meetings scheduled for these days will be rescheduled.

Garbage and debris collection will continue as normal on Tuesday until road conditions worsen. There is no collection on Wednesday.

The collection will resume on Thursday pending reasonable road conditions.

The City of North Charleston

City of North Charleston operations will be closed on Tuesday, January 21st and Wednesday, January 22nd.

Municipal Court will follow the City of North Charleston’s closures.

All recreational and cultural arts programs and activities are canceled on Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22. Facilities such as athletic buildings, community centers, senior centers and Park Circle Playground will remain closed during these times.

City-collected recycling services will be suspended this week. Yard waste and bulk collections will not be collected this week.

Waste collection services will operate on the following adjusted schedule:

Monday’s route: Collected on Tuesday 21 January
Tuesday’s route: Collected on Thursday 23 January
Wednesday’s route: Pick up on Friday 24 January
Thursday’s route: Pick up on Saturday 25 January

City of Beaufort Government Offices

The City of Beaufort will close all non-emergency operations on Tuesday at 13.00 and keep them closed on Wednesday.

Berkeley County Government Offices

Berkeley County government offices close at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. This will also include the following facilities: Berkeley County Courthouse, Convenience Centers, Library branches, Cypress Gardens and the Berkeley Animal Center.

The Berkeley County landfill closes at 3pm on Tuesday. There will also be no Bond Court session Tuesday at 18.30

Companies and facilities

Charleston County Library

Charleston County Library branches and offices close at 16 on Tuesday. All book deliveries and material returns also close.

Charleston GI

Charleston GI offices and surgery centers close at 15 on Tuesday and remains closed on Wednesday. They plan to reopen Thursday.

Roper St. Francis Healthcare

Roper St. Francis Healthcare says all freestanding emergency departments will remain open during the winter storm.

But ‌Express Care locations closes at 19 Tuesday. Hours may be affected Wednesday.

‌Roper St. Francis Medical Partners practice will be closed Wednesday for personal visits. Offices will contact patients about changing schedules or moving patients to virtual appointments. The clinics are open on Tuesday.

Surgical procedures starting at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, will be limited to urgent and emergency procedures. Outpatient procedures will be rescheduled. Infusion procedures starting at 19.00 Tuesday to Wednesday, will also be rescheduled.

South Carolina Aquarium

The South Carolina Aquarium closes at 15 on Tuesday and remains closed on Wednesday. Tuesday’s last entry time is 1:30 p.m

As conditions evolve, the hours of closure may change, aquarium officials say.

The Live 5 Weather team declared Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as First Alert Weather Days due to winter weather expected across the Lowcountry.

Click here to download the free Live 5 First Alert Weather app.

Live 5 First Alert meteorologist Joey Sovine says snow is likely to begin falling across most of the Lowcountry beginning late Tuesday afternoon. The snow and potentially a wintry mix of sleet will continue into the overnight hours.