Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 17:56     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Anonymous wrote:Already got my ice melt and groceries. I expect we'll be stuck at home for many days. The county can barely handle clearing 3 inches.


Exactly. Prepare to be stuck home a few days.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 17:54     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Already got my ice melt and groceries. I expect we'll be stuck at home for many days. The county can barely handle clearing 3 inches.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 17:46     Subject: Re:Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
When the state of MD sends out a message….get ready.


A State of Preparedness has been declared for the impending winter weather system. Heavy snow is expected statewide beginning Saturday evening, January 24, 2026. Make preparations now. Hazardous conditions expected; avoid travel.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 17:28     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Updates from most recent GFS and ECMWF model forecast: snow storm is hitting us Saturday night through Sunday. It's heavy snow and then possibly freezing rain as we sit right around the freezing line. If this is indeed the case, it's going to be a nightmare for travel.


+1 thank you for sharing

As a layperson I was confused to see the prediction for wintry mix/freezing rain given the temps are going to be so low. Can you elaborate on why we will get freezing rain if temps in the 20s and teens?

dp. If the storm trends north, our temperatures will rise and mix precip and sleet will fall. The temperatures will drop again and everything will freeze.

NP A mid-layer of warmer air may get pulled in from the Atlantic by the intensifying low to our north. Then snow from the upper layers, melts some as it passes through a warmer layer, they refreezes closer to the ground forming sleet or freezing rain.
https://justinweather.com/2026/01/21/how-the-weekend-winter-storm-may-become-miller-b-type-and-turn-heavy-snow-to-ice/

I've been following Justin Berk out of Baltimore for 15 years. He really does a good job with explaining models and predicting actual snowfall for central Maryland. Better than forecasts out of DC for the "metro area".
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 16:06     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone remember the snow timing and amounts from last year when they closed 3 days in a row? (I think it was early January.)


It’s so cute that anyone thinks Thomas will use any past lessons/precedent/sound judgement. Every weather decision he’s made has been inconsistent. There’s no reading the tea leaves here.


I'm not asking because I think MCPS is going to be consistent. I'm asking to see if people remember how many days it took the county and MCPS to clear a certain amount of snow last year, to help speculate how long it might take to clear the snow this year if the amount of snow and other conditions are roughly the same (may be less relevant if we get way more snow than last year, but Capital Weather Gang is currently giving it only about 50% odds of being more than 8".)


It's not just about total snow amount. Sleet or freezing rain bring much larger travel hazard in addition to other impacts. (e.g., massive power outage).

To get to your question, if I recall correctly, we had like two day shutdown and a 2-hour delay for the next 1-2 days last year for a similar cold air outbreak.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 16:04     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Updates from most recent GFS and ECMWF model forecast: snow storm is hitting us Saturday night through Sunday. It's heavy snow and then possibly freezing rain as we sit right around the freezing line. If this is indeed the case, it's going to be a nightmare for travel.


+1 thank you for sharing

As a layperson I was confused to see the prediction for wintry mix/freezing rain given the temps are going to be so low. Can you elaborate on why we will get freezing rain if temps in the 20s and teens?

dp. If the storm trends north, our temperatures will rise and mix precip and sleet will fall. The temperatures will drop again and everything will freeze.


Ah thank you!
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 15:36     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone remember the snow timing and amounts from last year when they closed 3 days in a row? (I think it was early January.)


It’s so cute that anyone thinks Thomas will use any past lessons/precedent/sound judgement. Every weather decision he’s made has been inconsistent. There’s no reading the tea leaves here.


I'm not asking because I think MCPS is going to be consistent. I'm asking to see if people remember how many days it took the county and MCPS to clear a certain amount of snow last year, to help speculate how long it might take to clear the snow this year if the amount of snow and other conditions are roughly the same (may be less relevant if we get way more snow than last year, but Capital Weather Gang is currently giving it only about 50% odds of being more than 8".)
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 14:52     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone remember the snow timing and amounts from last year when they closed 3 days in a row? (I think it was early January.)


It’s so cute that anyone thinks Thomas will use any past lessons/precedent/sound judgement. Every weather decision he’s made has been inconsistent. There’s no reading the tea leaves here.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 14:27     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Updates from most recent GFS and ECMWF model forecast: snow storm is hitting us Saturday night through Sunday. It's heavy snow and then possibly freezing rain as we sit right around the freezing line. If this is indeed the case, it's going to be a nightmare for travel.


+1 thank you for sharing

As a layperson I was confused to see the prediction for wintry mix/freezing rain given the temps are going to be so low. Can you elaborate on why we will get freezing rain if temps in the 20s and teens?

dp. If the storm trends north, our temperatures will rise and mix precip and sleet will fall. The temperatures will drop again and everything will freeze.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 14:20     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Anonymous wrote:Updates from most recent GFS and ECMWF model forecast: snow storm is hitting us Saturday night through Sunday. It's heavy snow and then possibly freezing rain as we sit right around the freezing line. If this is indeed the case, it's going to be a nightmare for travel.


+1 thank you for sharing

As a layperson I was confused to see the prediction for wintry mix/freezing rain given the temps are going to be so low. Can you elaborate on why we will get freezing rain if temps in the 20s and teens?
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 14:03     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Updates from most recent GFS and ECMWF model forecast: snow storm is hitting us Saturday night through Sunday. It's heavy snow and then possibly freezing rain as we sit right around the freezing line. If this is indeed the case, it's going to be a nightmare for travel.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 13:38     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone remember the snow timing and amounts from last year when they closed 3 days in a row? (I think it was early January.)


I think it was around 7-8”.
When we had 30” a decade ago they closed for the whole week.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 13:36     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Does anyone remember the snow timing and amounts from last year when they closed 3 days in a row? (I think it was early January.)
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 12:52     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
School is unlikely to be open next week.

Not only is 12-20 inches forecast for Saturday and Sunday, but more snow is possible midweek. With hard freezes between, there’s little chance of roads being ready, let alone school parking lots.

In addition, the county already had HVAC fail in a building leaving it closed for days.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 09:26     Subject: Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Kids are already off on Monday. Teachers are supposed to report for grading, so maybe co will be quicker to close for all.


Teachers can just grade at home. They are not going to close.

As much as I hate to say it they will probably need to close child care and all school-based activities. This will be a county general emergency. I just hope they can reopen child care by Tuesday or Wednesday.