Anonymous
02/01/2013 19:57
Subject: Re:snow delays?
If you are a native, you know that once every decade we get a large storm. Other than that it's the piddly stuff and ice. I do agree that when there is ice a delay is warranted. What I don't get is the inconsistency with decisions. Normally, it's like they overreact for the first few storms/squals each year. Then things seem to settle into a pattern for the rest of the season. It just doesn't seem that way to me this season.
Anonymous
02/01/2013 19:45
Subject: Re:snow delays?
; [u]http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang[u])Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I would not say DC routinely gets light snow. 3-4 delayed openings for MCPS is average, many years with none, and multiple years with no snow days at all, so maybe five snowfalls a year? I believe it's actually been two years without an inch of measurable snow. So a blizzard every five years doesn't create a routine. There's a difference between "shutting down" and making efforts (such as DELAYING opening, not closing) to reduce traffic on the roads during rush hour. On my commute from Gaithersburg to Silver Spring, I passed 11 accidents and disabled cars. Some were obviously high school students. My neighborhood roads and some of the not-quite-major streets (2-3 lanes each way) were untreated. You can drive on three or four inches of snow once it's packed down--driving in an inch of falling snow is a different story.
MCPS etc should have delayed opening today. Two hours to let traffic clear and roads get treated would have made everything much smoother.
You are out of your mind. There is no need for clearing snow because it was an inch or less - snow plows are neither necessary nor useful with such small amounts of snow.
If your HS student can't drive in an inch of snow, which is perfectly reasonable for a new driver, then don't let them drive to school today. MCPS does still have school buses, you know.
And sorry to burst your bubble, the DC area does routinely get small amounts of snow. Historically Washington DC averages about 15 inches of snow per year (based on records dating back to the late 1800s, source NOAA.)
Not out of my mind. I said to let the TRAFFIC clear (not clear the snow) and treat the roads.
Dating back to the late 1800s, surely there has been an average of 15 inches. Although I lifelong resident of the DC area, I am not quite that old. Here's the past six winters:
2007-2008: 4.9 inches
2008-2009: 7.5 inches
2009-2010: Snowmageddon
2010-2011: 10 inches, most of it in one snowstorm
2011-2012: <2 inches
2012-2013: 1.3 inches
(sources: http://www.wtop.com/41/3050937/5-years-of-DC-winters-Grading-the-Farmers-Almanac[u]
One of the past six years has had more than 15 inches. All in all, the morning would have gone much more smoothly had schools delayed opening by two hours today.
You obviously don't work with data. The point is clear: DC routinely gets small amounts of snow, and sometimes much more. If you find an inch of snow too traumatizing to venture out of the house, move to Miami (NOAA funds zero historical snow accumulation) or become a recluse. Your choice.
Anonymous
02/01/2013 16:53
Subject: snow delays?
Yes because MCPS values test results above everything else
Anonymous
02/01/2013 16:46
Subject: Re:snow delays?
; [u]http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang[u])Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I would not say DC routinely gets light snow. 3-4 delayed openings for MCPS is average, many years with none, and multiple years with no snow days at all, so maybe five snowfalls a year? I believe it's actually been two years without an inch of measurable snow. So a blizzard every five years doesn't create a routine. There's a difference between "shutting down" and making efforts (such as DELAYING opening, not closing) to reduce traffic on the roads during rush hour. On my commute from Gaithersburg to Silver Spring, I passed 11 accidents and disabled cars. Some were obviously high school students. My neighborhood roads and some of the not-quite-major streets (2-3 lanes each way) were untreated. You can drive on three or four inches of snow once it's packed down--driving in an inch of falling snow is a different story.
MCPS etc should have delayed opening today. Two hours to let traffic clear and roads get treated would have made everything much smoother.
You are out of your mind. There is no need for clearing snow because it was an inch or less - snow plows are neither necessary nor useful with such small amounts of snow.
If your HS student can't drive in an inch of snow, which is perfectly reasonable for a new driver, then don't let them drive to school today. MCPS does still have school buses, you know.
And sorry to burst your bubble, the DC area does routinely get small amounts of snow. Historically Washington DC averages about 15 inches of snow per year (based on records dating back to the late 1800s, source NOAA.)
Not out of my mind. I said to let the TRAFFIC clear (not clear the snow) and treat the roads.
Dating back to the late 1800s, surely there has been an average of 15 inches. Although I lifelong resident of the DC area, I am not quite that old. Here's the past six winters:
2007-2008: 4.9 inches
2008-2009: 7.5 inches
2009-2010: Snowmageddon
2010-2011: 10 inches, most of it in one snowstorm
2011-2012: <2 inches
2012-2013: 1.3 inches
(sources: http://www.wtop.com/41/3050937/5-years-of-DC-winters-Grading-the-Farmers-Almanac[u]
One of the past six years has had more than 15 inches. All in all, the morning would have gone much more smoothly had schools delayed opening by two hours today.
Yes it would have gone great for the high school teachers who had tests scheduled today. Instead of 47 minute periods a two hour delay means either skipping some periods (depending on the school) or 30 minute periods. That means delaying the tests until Monday.
No reason at all to delay school today.
Anonymous
02/01/2013 15:58
Subject: snow delays?
I agree with MCPS's decision today. An inch or less of snow should not be a problem at all. Drive your kids to school bus.
Anonymous
02/01/2013 15:49
Subject: Re:snow delays?
Anonymous wrote:I would not say DC routinely gets light snow. 3-4 delayed openings for MCPS is average, many years with none, and multiple years with no snow days at all, so maybe five snowfalls a year? I believe it's actually been two years without an inch of measurable snow. So a blizzard every five years doesn't create a routine. There's a difference between "shutting down" and making efforts (such as DELAYING opening, not closing) to reduce traffic on the roads during rush hour. On my commute from Gaithersburg to Silver Spring, I passed 11 accidents and disabled cars. Some were obviously high school students. My neighborhood roads and some of the not-quite-major streets (2-3 lanes each way) were untreated. You can drive on three or four inches of snow once it's packed down--driving in an inch of falling snow is a different story.
MCPS etc should have delayed opening today. Two hours to let traffic clear and roads get treated would have made everything much smoother.
You are out of your mind. There is no need for clearing snow because it was an inch or less - snow plows are neither necessary nor useful with such small amounts of snow.
If your HS student can't drive in an inch of snow, which is perfectly reasonable for a new driver, then don't let them drive to school today. MCPS does still have school buses, you know.
And sorry to burst your bubble, the DC area does routinely get small amounts of snow. Historically Washington DC averages about 15 inches of snow per year (based on records dating back to the late 1800s, source NOAA.)
Not out of my mind. I said to let the TRAFFIC clear (not clear the snow) and treat the roads.
Dating back to the late 1800s, surely there has been an average of 15 inches. Although I lifelong resident of the DC area, I am not quite that old. Here's the past six winters:
2007-2008: 4.9 inches
2008-2009: 7.5 inches
2009-2010: Snowmageddon
2010-2011: 10 inches, most of it in one snowstorm
2011-2012: <2 inches
2012-2013: 1.3 inches
(sources: http://www.wtop.com/41/3050937/5-years-of-DC-winters-Grading-the-Farmers-Almanac[u]
One of the past six years has had more than 15 inches. All in all, the morning would have gone much more smoothly had schools delayed opening by two hours today.