WV school closings and delays today: which counties adjusted schedules and what parents should know (Mon., Dec. 8)

West Virginia’s early-December wintry pattern continues to disrupt morning commutes, prompting a mix of closures and delays across the southern highlands and Greenbrier Valley. District alerts late Sunday night into early Monday confirmed that several school systems shifted to delayed starts, while a handful canceled classes outright due to slick secondary roads, refreeze concerns, and limited visibility before daybreak. Families should plan for slower travel where schools are open, with bus stops and neighborhood hills remaining the main trouble spots.

School closings and delays across West Virginia (Dec. 8)

The snapshot below reflects updates posted overnight and early this morning. Conditions can evolve quickly as transportation teams finish route checks; confirm directly with your district before leaving home.

Three-hour delays

• Fayette County Schools

• Greenbrier County Schools

• McDowell County Schools

• Monroe County Schools

• Pocahontas County Schools

• Wyoming County Schools

Two-hour delays

• Raleigh County Schools

Closed

• Mercer County Schools

• Nicholas County Schools

• Summers County Schools

Tri-state impacts to note

• Nearby Tazewell County (VA) closed; travelers and staff who commute across the border should factor that into plans.

Some districts not listed above were evaluating isolated hazard stops or limited route adjustments even while opening on time. Expect minor schedule tweaks for specific roads where buses lack safe turnarounds or where shaded grades remain icy.

Why WV districts are split between delays and closures today

Winter weather has affected counties unevenly. Overnight refreeze in higher elevations and hollows created spotty black ice, while valley floors saw more melting and wet pavement. Superintendents weigh several factors before calling a delay or closure:

• Secondary and ridge roads: Untreated or partially treated segments can stay slick hours after main corridors clear.

• Turnaround safety: Narrow, sloped roads limit where buses can safely reverse, triggering stop consolidations or route cancellations.

• Pre-dawn visibility: Fog and light snow at first bell can hide thin ice sheets.

• Refreeze timing: Melt in the afternoon, glaze overnight—prompting early-morning caution even when daytime travel looks fine.

The pattern often leads to three-hour delays in mountain counties—buying time for sunlight, additional treatment, and better footing at bus stops—while two-hour delays suffice in areas with improved road temps. Full closures tend to appear where cold pockets linger and crews cannot guarantee safe runs by mid-morning.

What parents and students should do this morning

1. Recheck for late changes: Many districts finalize a last round of ride-outs between 5:00–6:00 a.m. ET. Alerts may tighten or widen delays as crews report in.

2. Watch for hazard stop advisories: Even with a delay, some stops may be temporarily relocated to wider intersections or flatter ground.

3. Bundle for curbside waits: Extra traction (boots with tread) helps on packed snow near curbs; reflective gear improves visibility for drivers.

4. Plan for after-school shifts: Activities are often postponed when the day starts late. Coaches and principals typically issue separate updates.

5. Have an NTI fallback ready: If power or surface conditions deteriorate, some schools can pivot to Non-Traditional Instruction; keep devices charged and packets handy.

NTI vs. traditional snow days in West Virginia

• NTI Day: Instruction continues remotely. Attendance is captured through work completion or check-ins. Expect guidance on assignments, meal service, and student support lines.

• Traditional Snow Day: No instruction; the day is made up later. District calendars will note any changes once make-up days are set.

Districts may mix these options across a week—closing when refreeze and outages peak, then moving to NTI once conditions stabilize but remain unsafe for buses on specific routes.

Travel outlook and what’s next

• Midday improvement likely: Sun angle and road treatment typically lift travel conditions by late morning in delayed counties, though shaded bends can stay slick.

• Evening refreeze watch: If temperatures drop after sunset, expect renewed patchy ice and the possibility of more targeted delays on Tuesday in the higher ridges and along river valleys.

• Calendar ripple effects: Extended closures could trigger calendar adjustments later this month. Families should check the latest printable calendars once updates are posted.

For Monday, Dec. 8, the heaviest disruptions are concentrated from the southern coalfields through the Greenbrier Valley, with a clear divide between three-hour delays in the mountains, shorter delays nearer the turnpikes, and outright closures where cold pockets persist. Keep notifications on, refresh district pages before heading out, and allow extra time on neighborhood hills and shaded side roads.