Some Schools Closing Early Ahead of Predicted Severe Weather
With severe weather including tornadoes and large hail in the forecast for much of Alabama today, Monday, March 19, some area schools systems have announced early closings. We’ll update this list as more information comes in:
Altamont School: Closing at 1 pm
ARC of Jefferson County: Closing at 2 pm
Attalla City Schools: Closing at 1 pm
Banks Academy: Closing at noon
Bessemer City Schools: Elementary/middle closing at 11:30 am; high school closing at noon
Bevill State Community College: Closing at 12:15 pm
Bibb County Schools: Closing at 1 pm
Birmingham City Schools (and Birmingham City Hall and Municipal Court): Closing at noon
Blount County Schools: Closing at 1 pm
Calhoun County: Closing at 12:45 pm
Chilton County Schools: Closing at 12:30 pm
Coosa County Schools: Closing at noon
Cornerstone School of Alabama: Closing at noon
Creative Montessori School (Homewood): Closing at 3:15. Carpool will run between 2:45 and 3:10 for Primary and Elementary. All aftercare activities are cancelled.
Cullman City Schools: Closing at 1 pm
Cullman County Schools: Closing at noon
Etowah County Schools: Closing at 1 pm
Fairfield City Schools: Elementary closing at noon; middle and high school closing at 12:30 pm
Fayette Christian Academy: Closing at noon
Gadsden City Schools: Closing at 1 pm
Gadsden State Community College, all campuses: Closing at 1 pm
Homewood City Schools: Closing at 1 pm
Hoover City Schools: Elementary and intermediate schools, closing at noon; middle and high schools, closing at 12:30 pm. All afternoon and evening activities are cancelled.
Jasper City Schools: Closing at noon
Jefferson County Schools: Closing at 12:30 today. Buses will dismiss at 12:30. All after-school activities and daycares cancelled. Local school employees will be dismissed once students have left campus. Central office staff will be dismissed at 12:45.
Jefferson State Community Colleges, all campuses: Closing at 1 pm
Midfield City Schools: Elementary and middle school, closing 11:30 am; high school closing at noon
Mountain Brook City Schools: Closing at 1 pm
Pelham City Schools: Closing at 12:30
Pell City Schools: Closing at noon
Pickens County Schools: Closing at noon
Shelby County Schools: Closing at 12:30
St. Clair County Schools: Closing at noon
Sumiton Christian School: Closing at noon
Talladega City Schools: Closing at noon
Tarrant City Schools: Closing at noon
UAB: Classes and university events and activities starting at or after 5 pm are cancelled. No Health System/HSF/Hospital/Clinic schedules will change. Non-medical UAB campus business operations will close at 5 pm. According to UAB, “The weather threat is anticipated to pass by 2 a.m. Normal business operations and class schedules will resume after 2 a.m. Tuesday.”
Vestavia Hills City Schools: Elementary and middles schools closing two hours early; high school closing at 1:15. All after-school and extended-day activities are canceled.
Walker County Schools: Closing at noon
Wallace State College — Hanceville: Closing at 1 pm
Wallace State Community College — Oneonta: Closing at 1 pm
Winfield City Schools: Closing at noon
Winston County Schools: Closing at noon
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.

