The holiday vacation was extended by at least a day for the Forsyth County school system as the threat of subfreezing weather conditions prompted officials to cancel classes.

All activities and athletics before and after school also were scrapped.

A decision on whether to hold school Wednesday had not been made as of Tuesday afternoon. Check forsythnews.com for updates.

Tuesday was supposed to be students’ first day back from the break, which began Dec. 20.

Instead, students will have to make up the day on March 17, a Monday, which is listed on the district’s calendar as an inclement weather makeup day.

In making the announcement Monday morning, system spokeswoman Jennifer Caracciolo apologized for any inconveniences the closing may have caused families, but noted that the district is “simply not as prepared for these weather conditions as schools in the northern United States may be.”

“This decision was made for the safety of our students and staff given that Tuesday’s temperatures will be the lowest for our area in nearly two decades,” Caracciolo said. “With temperatures near zero and wind chill well below zero we will likely be unable to start a significant number of buses and may experience many route related breakdowns. We could also experience complications with the heating of our schools.”

Caracciolo said some students may not have had warm enough clothing for the conditions.

“Having them walk to school, wait at the bus stop or be in schools that might not have heat is a chance that we are not willing to take,” she said.

Check back for updates at forsythnews.com or see the next edition of the Forsyth County News.