School closures/eLearning announced for Monday due to potential severe weather

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Midlands schools are announcing classes will be cancelled or online on Monday due to potential severe weather across communities.

CALHOUN COUNTY:

Today, March 16, 2026, all schools in the district will operate on an e-Learning Day.

CLARENDON COUNTY:

All classes will shift to e-Learning for Monday, March 16.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY:

Due to forecasts indicating a potentially significant severe weather threat for our area on Monday, March 16, 2026, FCSD will be closed.

This will be a traditional school closure, and there will be no e-learning on Monday. The instructional day will be made up on Monday, May 25, 2026.

KERSHAW COUNTY:

Kershaw County School District is shifting to an e-Learning Day for Monday, March 16, as severe weather is forecasted for our area. All school buildings and offices will be closed. All Monday after school activities and sporting events are also cancelled.

LEXINGTON ONE: 

Lexington One will switch to eLearning on Monday, March 16 due to the forecast for severe weather. All after-school events and activities are canceled and campuses are closed for the day.

The big picture: The National Weather Service is predicting widespread, significant severe weather on Monday. Damaging (60 mph) to destructive (75+ mph) wind gusts are expected, with tornadoes possible as well. Some strong tornadoes (EF2+) are possible. Current forecasts indicate that the main window for severe hazards is expected to be between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

What to know: To help your student with eLearning, click here to review the district’s eLearning guidelines and directions. Students will have five days to complete all eLearning assignments. Additional information will also be shared later today.

Note for employees: Employees should work from home, unless notified otherwise by your supervisor.

LEXINGTON TWO: 

With weather forecasts calling for severe weather and high winds in the Midlands, and in an abundance of caution,  Lexington Two will close all schools and offices on Monday, March 16.

All afternoon and evening activities are also canceled on Monday, including athletic events, extracurricular activities, after-school programs, and adult education classes.

The National Weather Service is predicting damaging to destructive winds, possibly as high as 60-75 mph,  with the current timing anywhere between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. At this time, our area is at an enhanced risk for severe weather, with some parts of our forecast area expanded to a moderate risk. An enhanced risk is a 3/5 confidence level, and a moderate risk is a 4/5 confidence level.

We will communicate updates by Monday afternoon on the status of the school day for Tuesday, March 17.

We appreciate your understanding and support, as we prioritize the safety of our students, employees, and families.

LEXINGTON THREE: 

Due to the latest forecasted severe weather expected to impact the Midlands of South Carolina on Monday, March 16th, Lexington County School District Three will shift to an eLearning Day. The primary threat on Monday is damaging winds, with gusts up to 75 miles per hour possible. The National Weather Service is predicting “high-risk” weather, with dangerous tornadoes possible between 11 AM and 3 PM, directly affecting Lexington Three’s regular school day. Therefore we will shift to an eLearning Day on Monday, March 16th.

There will be no work for students to do on Monday, March 16th. Instead, students will receive their make-up eLearning assignments on Tuesday, March 17th. Students will have the option to complete their eLearning assignments on their own time. All assignments will be due by no later than Thursday, April 2nd.

All after-school events including sports practices, sports games, meetings, adult education classes, etc. scheduled for Monday, March 16th are cancelled.

LEXINGTON-RICHLAND 5:

No school for teachers + students Monday, March 16.

NEWBERRY COUNTY:

Due to the predictions by the Weather Service for high winds and possible tornado activity during the morning commute and into the morning, the School District of Newberry County will be closed Monday. Concerns are for buses in the predicted winds.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY:

Orangeburg County School District (OCSD) officials are closely monitoring weather conditions expected to impact Orangeburg County. Due to forecasted severe wind conditions expected across Orangeburg County (March 16, 2026), Orangeburg County School District will observe an eLearning Day.

RICHLAND ONE: 

According to Ilyssa Weiner with Richland One:

Due to the evolving forecast for severe weather and out of an abundance of caution, all Richland One schools and administrative offices will be closed Monday, March 16, 2026. Monday will not be an e-learning day.

All afterschool programs, activities and events that were scheduled for Monday, including athletics games and practices, are canceled. The Richland One Rising Stars Awards Ceremony that was scheduled for Monday evening at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center is canceled.

The safety of our students and staff is always the primary consideration in deciding whether to change normal operations and schedules due to weather-related factors. The latest weather forecast calls for conditions during the day Monday that could produce tornadoes and high wind gusts of 40 miles per hour or more that would pose hazardous travel conditions for school buses and other vehicles on the roads.

RICHLAND TWO:

Due to forecasted severe storms and high winds, there will be no school tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2026. All district buildings and offices will be closed.

SUMTER COUNTY:

Due to severe weather and hazardous winds, Monday, March 16, 2026, will be an eLearning day for all students and staff.

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This list will be updated as more schools’ information becomes available.