Escambia County Schools and Escambia Academy will be closed Thursday as the area waits for the ice that fell Tuesday to melt. The schools are expected to re-open Friday.

“All roads and bridges in the county are covered in a layer of ice,” said Escambia County Emergency Management Director David Adams. “The forecast high temperature for today is 29 degrees, so the ice will not melt significantly and the low temperature for tonight should be between 19 degrees and 22 degrees. Any melted water that is present will refreeze. Thursday morning conditions look to be the same as they are now.”

But as temperatures rise Thursday, conditions should improve.

“Temperatures on Thursday are expected to reach the 40s and significant melting should occur,” Adams said. “Any melted water that is still present on roads or bridges Thursday evening may refreeze creating patches of ‘black ice,’ so care should be taken driving Thursday night and Friday morning.”

Adams said travel is not recommended Wednesday and Wednesday night.

The Escambia County Courthouse and Satellite Office will be closed on Thursday. County offices and courts will open on Friday.