The county’s school system said buses picking up children for school Thursday might arrive a little behind schedule due to the cold weather expected in the coming days.

Rita Foil, the school system’s public information officer, said the bus schedule may vary a little bit, because they’re encouraging parents to keep children inside their homes or warm cars until the bus pulls up, which might cause slight delays.

Bitter cold temperatures will move through Rowan County and the rest of the Piedmont tonight through the end of the week.

The Salisbury-Rowan School System alerted parents about the approaching cold weather Tuesday night, reminding them to take extra precautions and make sure children are wearing warm clothing, hats and gloves.

As a blast of Arctic air moves across the country, temperatures in Rowan will drop below 15 degrees tonight. Highs will be in the upper 20s Thursday with lows dropping below 20 degrees. Friday’s forecast calls for a high of 40 degrees with a low temperature of 20 degrees.

Wind chills early Thursday could make it feel likes it’s near zero degrees.

Temperatures should start warming by Sunday, with highs in the mid-40s and lows in the 30s next week.

Temperatures were extremely cold mid-November too, and at the time, Veterinarian Bernie Eberle, with the Rowan Animal Clinic, said pets should be brought indoors, even if only in the garage. The main thing is to limit the time pets spend in the elements, he said, including short walks for dogs — he added owners need to make sure to wipe off their pet’s paws after a walk.

If a dog is kept outside during cold weather, a doghouse will limit exposure. And a thick bed of straw is also good for warmth, Eberle said.

For outdoor cats, leaving the garage slightly open will give them a place to avoid the cold, he said.

For horses and livestock, Eberle said it’s very important the animals have a constant source of water that won’t freeze. And animals, especially young ones, need a place to go to get out of the wind, he said.

No rain or snow is in the forecast for this week.

Contact reporter David Purtell at 704-797-4264.