Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 22:33     Subject: Early dismissal?
Anonymous wrote:Capital Weather Gang is being pretty strong worded in their wording re: this storm. Not just tornadoes but strong winds can mean heavy objects blowing around and trees falling on cars or people.


Their explanation of storm severity ratings and how often we have storms at this level was interesting. Something like we have about 12 severe storms with a rating of 1-2 every year. We get a level 4 - which this one is - every 2-3 years. They were even advising people to park away from trees and if your house has big trees near it to hang out on the lower levels. I read them pretty regularly and have never seen that wording. Hopefully, they have overestimated!! Stay safe.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 22:30     Subject: Re:Early dismissal?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Y'all are not from the midwest and it shows. Weather forecasts are showing the worst of the weather to be from 2-6pm. School systems do not want to mess around with kids getting stuck across the city in tornado conditions. It looks like most of the other major ones are closing early. I hope DCPS follows suit.


I grew up in the heart of tornado alley. Lots of tornado drills but we never had early dismissal for weather.


Our schools just had us do all the drills and hunker in the basement until all was clear and parents could get there.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 22:17     Subject: Early dismissal?
2 hour early dismissal for DCPS. I think people owe OP an apology.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 22:15     Subject: Re:Early dismissal?
Anonymous wrote:Y'all are not from the midwest and it shows. Weather forecasts are showing the worst of the weather to be from 2-6pm. School systems do not want to mess around with kids getting stuck across the city in tornado conditions. It looks like most of the other major ones are closing early. I hope DCPS follows suit.


Yup. You do NOT want to be in a car or a bus if there are tornado level winds.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 22:10     Subject: Re:Early dismissal?
Anonymous wrote:Y'all are not from the midwest and it shows. Weather forecasts are showing the worst of the weather to be from 2-6pm. School systems do not want to mess around with kids getting stuck across the city in tornado conditions. It looks like most of the other major ones are closing early. I hope DCPS follows suit.


I grew up in the heart of tornado alley. Lots of tornado drills but we never had early dismissal for weather.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 21:39     Subject: Re:Early dismissal?
Y'all are not from the midwest and it shows. Weather forecasts are showing the worst of the weather to be from 2-6pm. School systems do not want to mess around with kids getting stuck across the city in tornado conditions. It looks like most of the other major ones are closing early. I hope DCPS follows suit.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 21:14     Subject: Early dismissal?
How does JR fit 2000 kids in the basement? Deal 1500?
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 21:01     Subject: Re:Early dismissal?
Anonymous wrote:Yeah early closings are piling up. I’d be surprised if DCPS doesn’t do the same at this point.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/school-closings/


And OPM just moved to telework/unscheduled leave for the full day.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 20:11     Subject: Re:Early dismissal?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yeah early closings are piling up. I’d be surprised if DCPS doesn’t do the same at this point.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/school-closings/


lol- 3 school districts does not mean “piling up”[/quote

17 school districts are listed as of this posting.]
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 20:10     Subject: Early dismissal?
Anonymous wrote:The irony is that in a tornado or derecho, people are safer in a school than a home.


It's such a long period of time though that is high risk tomorrow
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 19:53     Subject: Early dismissal?
The irony is that in a tornado or derecho, people are safer in a school than a home.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 19:52     Subject: Re:Early dismissal?
Anonymous wrote:Yeah early closings are piling up. I’d be surprised if DCPS doesn’t do the same at this point.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/school-closings/


lol- 3 school districts does not mean “piling up”
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 19:50     Subject: Re:Early dismissal?
Yeah early closings are piling up. I’d be surprised if DCPS doesn’t do the same at this point.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/school-closings/
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 19:12     Subject: Early dismissal?
Fairfax and others are on early dismissal. Some more south of here are closed entirely. OP was not off to inquire, and the snarky replies weren’t warranted. Sorry you were treated that way, OP. I’d assume at the least that after school activities will be cancelled.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 18:16     Subject: Early dismissal?
Anonymous wrote:Capital Weather Gang is being pretty strong worded in their wording re: this storm. Not just tornadoes but strong winds can mean heavy objects blowing around and trees falling on cars or people.


DP to add, I love a good thunderstorm, but this seems more Derecho like, yet a sustained risk over a longer period of time.