So, when should school systems announce weather delays and closures?

[Anonymous]

The last few days has been post after post criticizing the timing of MCPS and DCPS announcements that school would be closed or open late.

When do you think is the appropriate time for an announcement?

[Anonymous]

Depends on the weather event. The prediction for today was less snow starting later. Even the latest and greatest weather models aren’t perfect. We have had many memorable boom and bust experiences. So making the call depends on how early the weather models allow for a good prediction and how likely that prediction is to be accurate.

[Anonymous]

As far in advance as possible. Rarely, there will be last minute changes in the forecast that trigger a scramble. But for these two events this week, calls could and should have been made the day before. Meteorologists knew yesterday afternoon that there would be at least inches inside the Beltway by this morning. MCPS and others made the right call, after having made a mistake for the last event. DCPS blooped.

[Anonymous]

- at least 2 inches - ^

[Anonymous]

I think APS has the right idea. They announce by 6pm with an update at 5am if needed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think APS has the right idea. They announce by 6pm with an update at 5am if needed

I'm unfamiliar with what APS did but I never understand why this isn't built into expectations for DCPS, especially because of the tendency for "bust" snow events.

You'd have to communicate it clearly in advance and then follow the policy to avoid confusion, but if people just knew that when a weather event is on the bubble (like this one was) they will announce the 2 hour delay early, and then may still cancel in the morning if it's apparent it's not a bust, I think you could help people plan without accidentally closing schools for rain.

As a DCPS parent, one of the frustrating things about the late calls is the total lack of communication (a theme from DCPS). It's less that I need them to be able to tell me what the weather is the night before, and more that it would be nice to know when they plan to make the call and what they'll consider. Instead they are just silent even though we're all looking at the forecast and trying to guess what is going to happen. It's a leadership issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think APS has the right idea. They announce by 6pm with an update at 5am if needed

I appreciate this too. It's led to a couple of bust/rain days, but at least I have some advanced notice to shift things around with work or childcare. Though I feel like they now always follow FCPS, which I don't think is always the right call given the size of Fairfax vs. Arlington and the fact that areas west sometimes get much more snow.