Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an area that I wish the state would make the decision. For events related to hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos and the like, the state should make the call as they are the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Could the governor call a preemptive state of emergency? That could make it easier for schools to justify being cautious and closing/closing early.

You need to get your anxiety under control. What do you do when there are thunderstorms every couple of weeks in the spring and summer?

These really aren't normal thunderstorm predictions.

-Widespread severe storms are anticipated on Monday across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States.
-Tornadoes, some strong, and particularly damaging winds are most likely from parts of South Carolina to Maryland during the afternoon.

There are explanations to why the forecast of severe weather is so high. The question is what is safest for students and all staff tomorrow.

The safest thing would be keeping the kids and staff at the school overnight until the storm passes. Schools will take the hit of a tornado better than a house or some apartments.

That being said, the issue isn't what is safest, it is what is most appropriate.

The risks tomorrow are very similar to other spring/summer thunderstorms. What's unique is that they're able to forecast those predictions earlier than the past. And that they're reporting things that wouldn't have been reported before.

Sorry, you are not getting free overnight babysitting.

Anonymous wrote:Now weather reports are saying tornados starting at 10:00 am….anyone else see that?

Capital Weather gang posted this several hours ago:

"The storms’ timing still needs to be pinned down, but they are most probable between about 1 and 7 p.m. Monday, when an organized and violent squall line is expected to pass. That said, widely scattered showers and storms, some of which could be intense, are possible before this window, as early as 9 or 10 a.m"

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they could move up the early dismissal- say 3.5 hours early?

Busses are not available that early.

Maybe they could move up the early dismissal- say 3.5 hours early?

Now weather reports are saying tornados starting at 10:00 am….anyone else see that?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an area that I wish the state would make the decision. For events related to hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos and the like, the state should make the call as they are the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Could the governor call a preemptive state of emergency? That could make it easier for schools to justify being cautious and closing/closing early.

You need to get your anxiety under control. What do you do when there are thunderstorms every couple of weeks in the spring and summer?

You can't tell the difference between this storm and normal summer thunderstorms? I feel sorry for you.

You need to stop watching the news until you get medication. Your anxiety is preventing you from reading and understanding the reports.

No, they're not predicting something that is significantly more severe than other thunderstorms we regularly experience. It is mostly that they're more confident in their prediction at this time than was historically common. And the storm is expected to be bigger than most.

But relatively high confidence in a big storm is not the same thing as a particularly severe storm.

Fascinating how so many MCPS parents on the DCUM message boards are suddenly also expert meteorologists.

Capital Weather Gang:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/03/15/dc-severe-storm-forecast-tornadoes-damaging-winds/

"D.C. averages about a dozen severe storm outlooks per year from the Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center that are issued the day before potential storms. That number rises to around 20 outlooks on the day storms are expected. Most are marginal or slight risks (Levels 1-2 of 5), with a handful reaching enhanced risk (Level 3). A Level 4 risk occurs less than once every other year on average."

Matthew Cappucci:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AusS7iwHY/

" MONDAY, March 16 looks to be a real-deal severe weather outbreak with the risk of tornadoes, including perhaps a few significant (EF2+) and/or long-track in the Mid-Atlantic. The Storm Prediction Center's forecast, issued Sunday, certainly hints at the possibility of a memorable event.

Our "parameter space" will be exceptional; a juiced-up atmosphere with moderate to extreme shear (spin)... and the likelihood of several rotating supercell thunderstorms to take advantage, especially in southern Virginia and North Carolina. I'm really watching the Richmond to Raleigh to Virginia Beach corridor as having the greatest threat of long-track supercells.

Then we ALSO have a destructive squall line coming in in the afternoon with 60-75 mph straight-line winds and embedded kinks of spin that could also produce quick-hitting tornadoes.

School districts should spend Sunday reviewing their severe weather plan, communicating with parents and/or adjusting activities and schedules as needed."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an area that I wish the state would make the decision. For events related to hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos and the like, the state should make the call as they are the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Could the governor call a preemptive state of emergency? That could make it easier for schools to justify being cautious and closing/closing early.

You need to get your anxiety under control. What do you do when there are thunderstorms every couple of weeks in the spring and summer?

These really aren't normal thunderstorm predictions.

-Widespread severe storms are anticipated on Monday across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States.
-Tornadoes, some strong, and particularly damaging winds are most likely from parts of South Carolina to Maryland during the afternoon.

There are explanations to why the forecast of severe weather is so high. The question is what is safest for students and all staff tomorrow.

The safest thing would be keeping the kids and staff at the school overnight until the storm passes. Schools will take the hit of a tornado better than a house or some apartments.

That being said, the issue isn't what is safest, it is what is most appropriate.

The risks tomorrow are very similar to other spring/summer thunderstorms. What's unique is that they're able to forecast those predictions earlier than the past. And that they're reporting things that wouldn't have been reported before.

Overnight? No, just close tomorrow.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an area that I wish the state would make the decision. For events related to hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos and the like, the state should make the call as they are the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Could the governor call a preemptive state of emergency? That could make it easier for schools to justify being cautious and closing/closing early.

You need to get your anxiety under control. What do you do when there are thunderstorms every couple of weeks in the spring and summer?

You can't tell the difference between this storm and normal summer thunderstorms? I feel sorry for you.

You need to stop watching the news until you get medication. Your anxiety is preventing you from reading and understanding the reports.

No, they're not predicting something that is significantly more severe than other thunderstorms we regularly experience. It is mostly that they're more confident in their prediction at this time than was historically common. And the storm is expected to be bigger than most.

But relatively high confidence in a big storm is not the same thing as a particularly severe storm.

Yes, they literally are predicting a much more significant storm. You have some sort of comprehension issue. Or maybe a mental health issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This will be a hard call with complaints no matter what is decided. The timing and ensuring ES can get home before it starts makes it even harder to call.

It's really not. Sorry, you're going to have to stick around for your meeting.

Love that being rude seems to be your only personality trait. For the rest of the adults here, Capucci posted this about 15 minutes ago

“ DMV school districts – as we said Thursday/Friday, it's imperative you have a severe weather plan and don't try to "wing it." Nobody has any excuse to be caught with their pants down.

Ask yourselves the following:
– If a tornado warning is issued, where will the kiddos shelter?
– If kiddos are on the bus, do the bus drivers know what to do?
– How will bus drivers be notified of warnings?
– Will dismissal occur if storms are approaching? Will dismissal be delayed?
– Have parents been clued in about the approaching severe weather?”


So not only are you rude, you’re wrong.

I know you will call me rude and I suppose I am but when you use "kiddos" repeatedly in an otherwise well thought out post, you are minimizing your impact. It just sounds juvenile.

Maybe you should bother to get the facts right before you sling insults. The PP didn't use the word kiddo. The Wash Post meteorologist did. Do you still think he sounds juvenile?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an area that I wish the state would make the decision. For events related to hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos and the like, the state should make the call as they are the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Could the governor call a preemptive state of emergency? That could make it easier for schools to justify being cautious and closing/closing early.

You need to get your anxiety under control. What do you do when there are thunderstorms every couple of weeks in the spring and summer?

These really aren't normal thunderstorm predictions.

-Widespread severe storms are anticipated on Monday across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States.
-Tornadoes, some strong, and particularly damaging winds are most likely from parts of South Carolina to Maryland during the afternoon.

There are explanations to why the forecast of severe weather is so high. The question is what is safest for students and all staff tomorrow.

The safest thing would be keeping the kids and staff at the school overnight until the storm passes. Schools will take the hit of a tornado better than a house or some apartments.

That being said, the issue isn't what is safest, it is what is most appropriate.

The risks tomorrow are very similar to other spring/summer thunderstorms. What's unique is that they're able to forecast those predictions earlier than the past. And that they're reporting things that wouldn't have been reported before.

If teachers are stuck at schools with students into the evening tomorrow, I don’t want to hear another word about making up missed days in June. Not a single word. We as a society put way to much on teachers.

teachers won't be stuck at school into evening. If the storm is really, MCPS will definitely call an early dismissal.
The last dismissal is late elementary schools at 1:20. Teachers and students can be home by 2 or 2:30.

If someone is really concerned, just keep your kids at home. It will be too crazy to announce a school closure right now.

Correction: it will be crazy to announce a school closure now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an area that I wish the state would make the decision. For events related to hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos and the like, the state should make the call as they are the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Could the governor call a preemptive state of emergency? That could make it easier for schools to justify being cautious and closing/closing early.

You need to get your anxiety under control. What do you do when there are thunderstorms every couple of weeks in the spring and summer?

You can't tell the difference between this storm and normal summer thunderstorms? I feel sorry for you.

You need to stop watching the news until you get medication. Your anxiety is preventing you from reading and understanding the reports.

No, they're not predicting something that is significantly more severe than other thunderstorms we regularly experience. It is mostly that they're more confident in their prediction at this time than was historically common. And the storm is expected to be bigger than most.

But relatively high confidence in a big storm is not the same thing as a particularly severe storm.

NP. Er, the forecasts I’m seeing literally say “severe.”

And is this the first time you've seen a thunderstorm forecast use that term?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an area that I wish the state would make the decision. For events related to hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos and the like, the state should make the call as they are the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Could the governor call a preemptive state of emergency? That could make it easier for schools to justify being cautious and closing/closing early.

You need to get your anxiety under control. What do you do when there are thunderstorms every couple of weeks in the spring and summer?

These really aren't normal thunderstorm predictions.

-Widespread severe storms are anticipated on Monday across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States.
-Tornadoes, some strong, and particularly damaging winds are most likely from parts of South Carolina to Maryland during the afternoon.

There are explanations to why the forecast of severe weather is so high. The question is what is safest for students and all staff tomorrow.

The safest thing would be keeping the kids and staff at the school overnight until the storm passes. Schools will take the hit of a tornado better than a house or some apartments.

That being said, the issue isn't what is safest, it is what is most appropriate.

The risks tomorrow are very similar to other spring/summer thunderstorms. What's unique is that they're able to forecast those predictions earlier than the past. And that they're reporting things that wouldn't have been reported before.

If teachers are stuck at schools with students into the evening tomorrow, I don’t want to hear another word about making up missed days in June. Not a single word. We as a society put way to much on teachers.

teachers won't be stuck at school into evening. If the storm is really, MCPS will definitely call an early dismissal.
The last dismissal is late elementary schools at 1:20. Teachers and students can be home by 2 or 2:30.

If someone is really concerned, just keep your kids at home. It will be too crazy to announce a school closure right now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an area that I wish the state would make the decision. For events related to hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos and the like, the state should make the call as they are the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Could the governor call a preemptive state of emergency? That could make it easier for schools to justify being cautious and closing/closing early.

You need to get your anxiety under control. What do you do when there are thunderstorms every couple of weeks in the spring and summer?

You can't tell the difference between this storm and normal summer thunderstorms? I feel sorry for you.

You need to stop watching the news until you get medication. Your anxiety is preventing you from reading and understanding the reports.

No, they're not predicting something that is significantly more severe than other thunderstorms we regularly experience. It is mostly that they're more confident in their prediction at this time than was historically common. And the storm is expected to be bigger than most.

But relatively high confidence in a big storm is not the same thing as a particularly severe storm.

NP. Er, the forecasts I’m seeing literally say “severe.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an area that I wish the state would make the decision. For events related to hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos and the like, the state should make the call as they are the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Could the governor call a preemptive state of emergency? That could make it easier for schools to justify being cautious and closing/closing early.

You need to get your anxiety under control. What do you do when there are thunderstorms every couple of weeks in the spring and summer?

These really aren't normal thunderstorm predictions.

-Widespread severe storms are anticipated on Monday across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States.
-Tornadoes, some strong, and particularly damaging winds are most likely from parts of South Carolina to Maryland during the afternoon.

There are explanations to why the forecast of severe weather is so high. The question is what is safest for students and all staff tomorrow.

The safest thing would be keeping the kids and staff at the school overnight until the storm passes. Schools will take the hit of a tornado better than a house or some apartments.

That being said, the issue isn't what is safest, it is what is most appropriate.

The risks tomorrow are very similar to other spring/summer thunderstorms. What's unique is that they're able to forecast those predictions earlier than the past. And that they're reporting things that wouldn't have been reported before.

If teachers are stuck at schools with students into the evening tomorrow, I don’t want to hear another word about making up missed days in June. Not a single word. We as a society put way to much on teachers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an area that I wish the state would make the decision. For events related to hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos and the like, the state should make the call as they are the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Could the governor call a preemptive state of emergency? That could make it easier for schools to justify being cautious and closing/closing early.

You need to get your anxiety under control. What do you do when there are thunderstorms every couple of weeks in the spring and summer?

You can't tell the difference between this storm and normal summer thunderstorms? I feel sorry for you.

You need to stop watching the news until you get medication. Your anxiety is preventing you from reading and understanding the reports.

No, they're not predicting something that is significantly more severe than other thunderstorms we regularly experience. It is mostly that they're more confident in their prediction at this time than was historically common. And the storm is expected to be bigger than most.

But relatively high confidence in a big storm is not the same thing as a particularly severe storm.