Need to make a decision for tomorrow based on chance of delay or closure, thoughts?

[Anonymous]

We have a little child care snafu tomorrow morning that will involve me needing to go into work late/staying late instead of coming on time. I am trying to figure out what the chances are of a snow delay/closure (although I can't imagine there would be a closure) before I let my supervisor know, because it is going to look really bad if I have to change my schedule and then have to change it AGAIN if there is a snow issue. Any thoughts on whether there actually might be snow or not?

[Anonymous]

I think they will be at least a 2 hour delay. We are in a bind too for tomorrow so I understand the stress.

[Anonymous]

Wait, let me look in my crystal ball.

Eyeroll.

I hate these threads. How the hell are we supposed to know?

[Anonymous]

I just checked the Capital Weather Gang's latest forecast. Looks like it will start around 7am but it's the later part of the commute that will be most affected - so I doubt a 2 hour delay helps anybody. I guess on time or closed ...

Maybe on time with early closure if it turns out bad ... ?

[Anonymous]

I don't know. Maybe a delay?

[Anonymous]

I'd say a 2-hour delay with a chance of then closing. I work PT and offer to watch my neighbors' children for any 2-hour delay or closing. Now, I live in a very small neighborhood, so it's manageable. I would say, ask a neighbor or friend to help out. I'm amazed by how often people just don't ask for help. I have a friend in another neighborhood and her and a neighbor both work so they rotate who'll stay home (her or hubby or her neighbor/hubby). Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, my 5th grader has a field trip tomorrow and needs to be at school an hour early.

[Anonymous]

Looks like we're all going to have to wait for a better forecast later on in the day, which means making child care arrangements is gong to be last minute -- possibly late tonight or tomorrow morning. Argh, winter!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just checked the Capital Weather Gang's latest forecast. Looks like it will start around 7am but it's the later part of the commute that will be most affected - so I doubt a 2 hour delay helps anybody. I guess on time or closed ...

Maybe on time with early closure if it turns out bad ... ?

I think they don't do early closures anymore, which is why I think they sometimes cancel for the day but then it turns out to not be all that bad after all. They used to have the option of going in at regular time and releasing early if the weather turned bad, but they realized that a lot of kids may not have someone at home. A storm that starts later in rush hour is tough to deal with when your only choices are two hour delay or canceling school.

[Anonymous]

Why not make arrangements now (or have a back up plan for everyday of the year). Shit happens in life - not just weather!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not make arrangements now (or have a back up plan for everyday of the year). Shit happens in life - not just weather!

It would be easy for me to make arrangements -- I would just cancel child care and stay home. I'd prefer not to do that, but I especially don't want to do it prematurely. I'll at least wait until the later forecast, if not until tomorrow when any announcement is made.

For other people, I think it's a bit more difficult, but I imagine they also don't' want to change existing arrangements prematurely.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for the input. I do have backup plans, but tomorrow is just one of those days (even without snow) that was going to be a problem because all 3 of my backup plans are unavailable and both DH and I had to be in early. It's pretty rare that this happens. The snow is just going to make things even more complicated, but it will be ok regardless.. I'll figure it out!

[Anonymous]

Tell your boss you'll be late. Period.

If there's a snow delay you'll be ok.

If there's no delay, you have 2 extra hours to get into work (so maybe enjoy an extra cup of coffee).

[Anonymous]

When this stuff screws me up I usually say "I know it's not optimal notice, but I'm unable to commit to a schedule until I see how the weather and resulting school start times play out in the morning. I will let you know as soon as this is clear, which will be no later than 8am tomorrow morning."

It's the truth, ya know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not make arrangements now (or have a back up plan for everyday of the year). Shit happens in life - not just weather!

Honestly, I would like to know what people with infants do when they need back up care for issues like snow? Presumably if someone can't get to your house, how do you find back up care? The teens in my neighborhood do not see snow days as a chance to make money. They see if it as a chance to sleep in and veg out.