Winter Storm Causes Widespread Disruptions in Western North Carolina
By Deanna Sipe
January 23, 2026
The approaching winter storm has led to a series of precautionary measures across western North Carolina's educational institutions. Here's a breakdown of the latest developments:
University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA): UNCA has activated its weather policy, transitioning to Condition 2 (suspended operations) starting Saturday, January 24, at 8 a.m. This means non-essential staff are advised to stay away from campus. Classes for Monday and Tuesday have also been canceled.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College: All classes and events are canceled for the weekend. The college is closely monitoring weather conditions and will provide further updates.
Western Carolina University (WCU): WCU will be under Condition Level 2 (suspended operations) from Saturday, January 24, at 8 a.m., until Monday, January 26, at 11:59 p.m. This affects both the main campus and the Biltmore instructional site. Classes on Tuesday will be reassessed over the weekend.
Mars Hill University: Classes are canceled for Monday, January 26.
Appalachian State University: The Boone and Hickory campuses will not hold in-person classes on Monday, January 26. Further updates regarding campus operations will be shared on Sunday, January 25.
These decisions aim to ensure the safety of students and staff, but they also highlight the challenges of maintaining educational continuity during severe weather events. As the situation unfolds, we can expect more adjustments to the academic calendar.
Stay tuned for further updates as the winter storm progresses.
