The old saying is, it is always quiet before the storm and the phrase rang true for people in Cass Co. Thursday afternoon with mild temperatures in the area.
"We're seeing some wild swings from cold back to warm temperatures and its really hard on the roads," said Christopher Bolt, Cass Co. Road Commission.
With temperatures moving constantly from cool to freezing the Cass Co. Road Commission has been left on their toes most of the winter.
"We're compiling the hazards that we see from winter and spring all right now," said Michel Harris, Cass Co. Road Commission. "When the winter months come the roads get stable. We only have to battle icy conditions and snow. But right now we're battling pot holes due to the thaw and soft shoulders where the cars are getting off the edge of the road."
The rough road conditions have left many schools scrambling to decide whether or not to cancel or delay their school days.
The Cassopolis School District sends a driver out before day break each morning to help them make their call on if school should be in session.
"She drives a Ford Expedition around and if she's having difficulties with control of that, that usually makes my decision. It can go anywhere from visibility to icy roads or whatever," said Tracy Hertsel, Cassopolis Superintendent.
The winter weather has canceled four days in Cassopolis Schools so far this year. If the winter storm front moving in Thursday night-Friday morning causes any problems like previous storms this winter Hertsel says he has no problem calling a snow day.
"For me to call a day of school and make it up in June is a lot better than to have a student in an accident," said Hertsel.
Hertsel added Cassopolis would have to cancel 12 days of school before they would have to worry about scheduling a make-up day.
