UPDATE: Vestavia Hills City Schools to close early

UPDATE: Vestavia Hills City Schools will close early today due to the threat of severe weather.

According to the VHCS website, schools will close two hours early. Elementary schools will close at 12:35 p.m., with Central closing at 12:45 p.m. Middle schools will close at 1:05 p.m., and VHHS will close at 1:15 p.m.

Vestavia Hills City Schools have canceled all after-school and Extended Day Program activities for Monday, March 19.

The announcement was made Monday around 8:30 a.m., citing the possibility of severe weather as the reason. According to the National Weather Service, Birmingham faces an "enhanced risk" of severe weather, including tennis ball sized hail, strong tornadoes and damaging winds up to 70 miles per hour.

VHCS is continuing to monitor conditions "for the potential need for an early dismissal," according to an email and will contact parents if necessary.

Editor's Note: This article was updated at 11:30 a.m. to reflect the early dismissal at Vestavia schools.