This storm seemed like a bust at first, but then all of us got our "thump"(very heavy rate of snow falling in a small amount of time) and we got the expected amount. The amount of snow all of us got in MoCo is 0.5-3", depending on where you live, but I have heard reports far west of the county getting close to 6". I got 2" of snow in Gaithersburg. It snowed so heavily in that thump that when I wiped the snow off of my car, there was already a coating on the car 1 minute and 30 seconds later. If the snow rate in that "thump" lasted even longer we could get 6-12", or even more than that. Main roads are mostly wet with some slush in them, but sidewalks and secondary/neighborhood roads? Oh they are a mess. My neighborhood road has snow on it, slush, and some black ice. Anyways, the reason we are talking about delays/closures is because temps tonight for the whole county will be below 32 degrees. Even where roads are wet, they will become icy and slick because the temps will refreeze the water to ice. I have seen reports from Clarksburg and Damascus where everything is snow covered and slushy. Tomorrow will be a huge mess. Temps aren't supposed to be above 32 degrees until 8-9AM tomorrow, and the ice, snow, and slush will make the morning commute and rush hour a mess. There is a special weather statement for all of MoCo, stating about
slush, snow, and water refreezing into ice, and says that even if a
surface looks wet it might be ice, so to be careful about where you step
and be cautious about black ice, slush, etc. Even if elementary schoolers went to school at the normal time, there would still be slush and/or snow, and even ice(depending where they live). Slush is the main concern for everyone in the county, until 10AM to 12PM(again, depending where they live). NBC 4 thinks we will have a delay(they said to plan on sleeping in) and I can see where they come from, but I also see why other people think we won't have a delay. A delay would not only give crews and the sun 2 extra hours to treat and clear the snow, but also kids would be able to see the ice/slush/snow easier.
Prediction: 3 snowflakes
I am leaning towards a delay and not a closure because temps need to be below freezing for longer than 9 AM for a closure or same temps but 3.5"+ of snow. A delay would help a lot, and going on time would make roads and sidewalks filled with ice, snow, and slush, and would make the chance of students getting severe injuries a lot higher than if they delayed. By 11AM/12PM, most snow should be cleared and there won't be that much slush, and MCPS wants to get as much school hours as they can while considering their students safety, so a delay would be the best option for MCPS(even though most students want a day off :P). Opening on time would have lots of injuries, crashes, and even the possibility of buses sliding off roads.
Prediction: 3 snowflakes
I am leaning towards a delay and not a closure because temps need to be below freezing for longer than 9 AM for a closure or same temps but 3.5"+ of snow. A delay would help a lot, and going on time would make roads and sidewalks filled with ice, snow, and slush, and would make the chance of students getting severe injuries a lot higher than if they delayed. By 11AM/12PM, most snow should be cleared and there won't be that much slush, and MCPS wants to get as much school hours as they can while considering their students safety, so a delay would be the best option for MCPS(even though most students want a day off :P). Opening on time would have lots of injuries, crashes, and even the possibility of buses sliding off roads.
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