USC, schools across the Midlands change plans because of lingering snow and cold
School districts across the Midlands have announced changes to schedules for Monday following a weekend snowstorm.
Although the snow stopped falling in the Columbia area of South Carolina, the bitterly cold freezing temperatures remain. This caused snow and patches of ice to linger in roadways, according to the National Weather Service.
More sub-freezing temperatures are forecast overnight Sunday, which could cause any snow that melts to refreeze and make driving conditions hazardous for those making the Monday morning commute. The potentially treacherous traffic conditions prompted most Midlands school districts to switch to an e-learning day, or cancel classes, on Monday.
Check below for a list of schools that have announced changes to their schedule:
Richland County
University of South Carolina: On Sunday, USC officials announced that the University’s Columbia campus will be closed on Monday and there will be no in-person classes.
Midlands Technical College: Due to weather, all Midlands Tech campuses will close, and classes are cancelled, for Monday.
Richland 1: District officials said that all Richland 1 schools and administrative offices will be closed Monday, which will be an e-learning day for students and a work-from-home day for staff. All after-school programs, activities and events, including athletics, have been canceled.
Richland 2: To ensure everyone’s safety, district officials said that Monday will be an e-learning/remote work day. This means all schools and facilities will be closed, and all after-school activities are canceled.
Lexington-Richland 5: All schools and offices in Lexington-Richland District 5 will transition to e-learning on Monday, and all extracurricular events and after school childcare programs are canceled.
Lexington County
Lexington 1: District officials said that Lexington 1 schools and offices will be closed on Monday, and all events, activities and practices are canceled. School is canceled and will not be and e-learning day. This day will be made up in person on March 16.
Lexington 2: Because of lingering impacts from this weekend’s winter storm, Lexington 2 will cancel school on Monday, and there will be no after-school activities, programs, or games. The district will use its scheduled weather make-up day on March 13 for in-person instruction.
Lexington 3: Officials said that Monday will be an e-learning Day for all students and staff in the district. All after-school events including sports practices, games and meetings are canceled.
Lexington 4: The district will transition to an e-learning day for all schools on Monday and after-school activities and athletics are canceled.
Lexington-Richland 5: All schools and offices in Lexington-Richland District 5 will transition to e-learning on Monday, and all extracurricular events and after school childcare programs are canceled.
Midlands Technical College: Due to weather, all Midlands Tech campuses will close, and classes are cancelled, for Monday.
Other Midlands counties
Sumter School District: Monday will be an e-learning day for all students and staff. All schools and district offices are closed, and all activities, including athletic events and field trips, are canceled.
Kershaw County School District: Officials said that Monday will be an e-learning day. All school buildings and offices will be closed, and all after-school activities are also canceled.
Newberry County School District: The district will operate on an e-learning schedule on Monday and Tuesday. Student assignments may be found in Schoology.
Orangeburg County School District: Because of the potential for unsafe driving conditions, Monday will be an e-learning day. All scheduled athletic events and extracurricular activities are postponed.
Fairfield County School District: All schools and the district office will be closed on Monday. As previously scheduled, students were already set to be out of school on Monday for an OEC/Professional Development Day. The in-person professional development for employees was canceled.
Saluda County Schools: District officials said they will operate on an e-learning day on Monday.
Clarendon County School District: Officials announced that Monday will shift to e-learning.
Calhoun County School District: All public schools will shift to online learning Monday.
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This story was originally published February 1, 2026 at 2:09 PM.
