NORTH CAROLINA -- The extreme cold that North Carolina is experiencing has many schools across the state delaying their start times to keep kids safe.

Many students in the viewing area wrapped up winter break with a few extra hours of sleep on Tuesday. 

Counties that operated on a two-hour delay on Tuesday included Wake, Durham, Orange, Cumberland, Stokes, Surry, Bladen and Rowan counties.

Additionally, Green Hope High School in Wake County dismissed early on Tuesday because of issues with their heating system.

Schools officials said Tuesday's delay was meant to give time for buses to crank up and for the heating systems at schools to turn back on after sitting idle through the winter break. 

And though schools will be heated, the bus stop temperatures aren't expected to get much better until next week.

Some school systems have already delayed their start time for Wednesday. Additionally, Camp Lejeune Dependents School has closed Wednesday and Thursday due to the possible wintry weather.

For the latest information on school closings, click on the links below:

Charlotte region: http://specne.ws/2T3rQw
Triad: http://specne.ws/QASnwG
Central NC: http://specne.ws/T6ywsg
Coastal NC: http://specne.ws/cvgZgD

 

For the latest forecast information, click on your region below:

Charlotte

Triad

Central NC

Coastal NC