Winter in Georgia this year has been relatively mild; when students and staff alike can forego the coats and sweaters several days into November, even in the early hours of the morning, it seems like Cartersville should be strapping in for a winter that’s a warmer affair than what residents have seen in the past. Nonetheless, the people occupying Georgia counties were in for quite the surprise when early Friday morning, snow was beginning to coat the ground. Originally predicted to be a mere couple of inches, over time, the snowfall reached 10 inches here in Cartersville and measured at a full 12 inches in counties like Dallas, according to the National Weather Service.

In response to such radical weather, schools – including Cass High — were forced to cancel on both Friday and Monday, exercising caution to prevent injury caused by ice on the road. As such, students with an EOC on Friday have had their tests rescheduled to Tuesday, and many find themselves regretful that this impromptu vacation has taken place so near finals. Nevertheless, parents and children alike are relieved to be safe inside in such dangerous conditions.

Meanwhile, schools were not the only thing that went out during this snowstorm. According to the Daily Tribune, “As of 1 p.m. Saturday, Georgia Power was reporting more than 10,000 outages in Bartow, including 5,000 in Emerson, 3,000 in Adairsville and over 1,000 in each Kingston and Euharlee. Georgia Power had restored electricity to 175,000 customers across the state by that time, but there were still 130,000 without power.” Even some traffic lights were affected following the untimely weather, making it a difficult time for drivers.

While the snow can be enjoyable in doses, such a surprising change in condition from the weather has blindsided schools and companies alike. Hopefully, Tuesday marks a quick recovery of the usual routine. Drive safely!