Threat of winter weather prompts closing of Dickson County schools for Friday

Dickson County schools and extended care programs will be closed Friday. Just before 5:30 am, Director of Schools Dr. Danny Weeks said since the forecast still calls for the possibility of sleet and freezing rain and with school systems in the area making the decision to close, he decided to err on the side of caution and call off school for the day. All schools systems surrounding Dickson County also are closed, except for Williamson County, which is opening two hours late. Classes at Austin Peay State University’s campus at The Renaissance Center will start two hours late, with all classes scheduled before 10 am canceled. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for much of Middle Tennessee until noon today, however, Dickson County appears to have avoided any major problems from the ice predicted for last night. There have been no reports of problems with roads or travel this morning, according to a dispatcher at Dickson Central Communications. The National Weather Service says there is a 60% chance of some sleet or freezing rain through Friday morning while temperatures will eventually climb to around 41 degrees. Temperatures are expected to rise over the next several days until they reach the upper 60s by the middle of next week.