WHAT WENT WRONG (OR RIGHT)
AND WHAT'S COMING NEXT
Before every big storm is even over, there is always speculation about another one lurking out there, just waiting to pounce before your back has had a chance to recover. This time, the crystal ball is more murky and there are big changes going on in the atmosphere, it will take some time to get the pattern aligned again to produce something on the magnitude of what we just had, if at all. A quick glimpse at the computer models shows two events following February Kahuna # 1. Storm # 2 seems likely to cut up west of mountains, which means rain for the East coast and possible flooding due to snow clogging storm drains. On the heels of this storm will be brutally cold Arctic air, the coldest of the season, arriving Sunday and dragging into the week after. With an active Subtropical Jet turning up in the face of a large Arctic high parking over the eastern 2/3rd of the country, one would surmise that this setup has potential to deliver another snow event for the Northeast sometime NEXT Tue or Wed. The other interesting factor is our old standy, the North Atlantic Oscillation, is scheduled to stay flat the next 7-10 days. This bodes well for storm development because a stable NAO in the neutral position would allow a big system to move gradually across the country from the SW to the Gulf to the Northeast while gathering lots of moisture on it's way. A strong negative NAO might overwhelm the pattern and push the storm out to sea along the Carolinas. A strong positive NAO would cause the storm to drift too far north as it comes up from the south, and you'd see snow change to rain. This much is certain:
1. There will be plenty of cold air in Canada that has to make it south sometime soon.
2. Each day we approach Spring the SubTropical Jet gets climatologically more active.
3. If the snowpack over the Northeast survives this week, that will only enhance your chance for another big storm in the February 18-22 time frame.
SO WHAT WRONG WITH BIG KAHUNA # 1 ? WHY DID IT TURN INTO SUCH A MONSTER ?
I am working on my storm grade numbers among other tasks around the house. But here is a synposis of what happened (and is still happening in this storm). I will add to this with a few links and some graphics later.
1. Conventional wisdom about storm dynamics did not work well. The waters off New Jersey and Southern New England are below normal. This should not have enabled the storm to explode the way it did. It is possible the above normal waters near NC provided more rapid evaporation and the transfer of moisture from the ocean to the storm to the land was faster than expected. Thus you read amazing reports of 11" in 3 hours at New York City.
2. The lack of "cold air damming" at the onset of this storm obviously did not impede it's ability to hammer us. There was enough thermodynamic energy in the right places (in the ocean) to allow the storm to quickly tap the reservoir of cold air in eastern Ontario. This cold air was drawn into the storm a lot quicker than I expected, resulting in a rapid conversion of moisture to snow and the strong upward motion which resulted from this produced the thunderstorm like effects of thundersnow and lighting. It was a classic clash of cold and warm in a dramatic way. I was real skeptical Saturday afternoon when the temps in Dundalk were 42 F and the sun was shining. Yet 5 hours later the snow was falling heavily and sticking to roadways. There was enough cold air drawn into to overcome the brief warmth.
3. The wide disparity in accumulations (8 - 21 inches in Baltimore Metro region, for example) was simply a wintertime example of what summertime thunderstorms do. In summer, one part of town can be drenched with a huge downpour while the other side of town is basking in the sun. Same thing with this storm, except that the thunderstorms developed inside a raging snowstorm, and when they popped, up went your snowfall rates almost instantly. Areas that did not see the crazy amounts of snow were simply missed by the little mini-thunderstorm cells that briefly materialized inside the snow bands, dropped their extra 3-4 inches and then fizzled. Had I thought ahead that the upward motion effect would produce thundersnow, I would have upped my totals. However, predicting where and when a random thunderstorm is going to strike, especially when the storm itself is buried inside a blizzard no less, it just about impossible. There were only a few rumbles of thunder in Dundalk, and we were on the low end of snowfall.. 11-12 inches. Other areas like Timonium have 18" and there were many reports of thundersnow for at least an hour last night. So there's the connection.
DON'T I HAVE TO WEAR THE BAG NOW THAT THE STORM IS OVER ?
Yes, friends I will be wearing the bag, and having Mommy take a picture for all of you to see. I challenge my news media counterparts to do the same when their forecasts bust, up or down. The pic will be posted here shortly, along with a pic from our local bus lot to show you how much work they have up there. See you later tonight.
"HOUSTON, I HAVE A PROBLEM..."
As of 7:45 AM...at least 11 inches in Dundalk, MD at Foot's Forecast HQ
Okay, I admit it, there is a teensy bit more than 4" out there at the present time.
Hey, quit complaining my forecast was off the mark, because the next statement
will make it all worth the hassle. My new name is Captain Obvious, and I want to say:
NO SCHOOL MONDAY FOR THE ENTIRE BALTIMORE AND DC METRO REGIONS,
AS WELL AS SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA AND WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK
We have crossed the 8" barrier necessary to make it impossible for school bus parking lots to be cleared in time for regular opening time on Monday. I will march myself the grueling 1/3 of a mile up the road later today and take a photo of our local bus parking lot to demonstrate proof of my theory.
Am working on an analysis of my snowfall amounts for the first 2 period of the storm (12 noon Sat - 12 midnight Sat, and 12AM Sun to 6AM Sun) now I have a third period to assess for how much more and when it will stop.
A reminder to anyone who has joined us since midnight today, if you wish to be added to the email distribution list, please send me a message at rfoot@bcps.org Note that I will not reply to your message, just be assured your address will be added to the list. This feature will be used when there is a developing situation and I cannot post to the site during school because our filtering system blocks most blogs from being viewed by school computers. If you already sent a message in the past 24 hours, you are already on the list.
Let me use Dundalk as my guide for what is left of the storm. I estimated 4 inches would fall by midnight Saturday, and we had about 4. Then I said another 4 inches by 6:00 AM, and we have about 5.5 for a total of probably 10 at the moment. For Dundalk, MD I estimate another 2 inches will fall between 7 AM and Noon before the storm finally winds down to flurries. Looking at the Northeast radar, you can see the back edge is starting to approach, but as Andy from southern York County has pointed out before, that back edge sometimes keeps redeveloping further west as the storm rotates through. Appears to be about a 5 degree backing tilt every 15 minutes, and each tilt is shifting the axis of heavy snow from a SW-NE orientation to a more S to N orientation. Though the dark blues are heading south and east, the rotation may bring some of what is north of you on this map (wherever north of your location is) back down on top of you. Hence the reason Philly extended the Heavy Snow Warning to 1PM.
I am going to apply that rule to everyone from Central and Eastern PA south to DC, Virginia and NC who is under the blue region of the radar. I believe you'll see 2-4 more inches between now and Noon, less towards the west, more toward the East.
1. From DC to Balto to Frederick MD west to Harper's Ferry, WV... 1 more inch.
2. Along a line from DC to Balto to Philly and east to Del-Mar-Va, another 2-3 inches by noon
3. Along the extreme Eastern shores of Del-Mar-Va and New Jersey, believe it or not another 3-4 inches due to an ocean enhancing effect as the snow shield rotates with the departing Low.
SO WHY DID THIS STORM END UP BEING SO MUCH BIGGER THAN I THOUGHT?
Oh so you want the part about me wearing the bad, do you? Well as soon as Mommy wakes up, I'll get her to take a picture and then I'll the tail-between-the-legs commentary on what went wrong.
102 comments:
HELP, I"M BURIED!!!!!!!!!!!
Really hard to measure here but looks like a general 16 inch snow fall here. Some spots 18 some 14 so I split the figures. I always feel that some of the best snow storms we have around here can never be predicted correctly as they tend to evolve when they are just on top of us. Since it's still snowing I have a shot at about an 18 inch total!!!!!!!!! LOVING life here in SOUTHERN PENNTSYLTUCKY Y'ALL!!
Thanks to everyone who has continued to post observations. I think it is as exciting as the storm itself to hear what is going on at your house, especially the reports of thundersnow and lightning!
Allright BCPS'ers, now the guessing game begins. How accurate is my prognostication of no school Monday? Is the political pressure of raising our test scores too great that they will mount a valiant effort to open ON TIME, or does the job appear to you too overwhelming that they'll just call it a day and start fresh Tuesday?
Hey Howard County... watcha doing down there with 14.3 inches. That is a little over the top don't you think?
What a beautiful sight to wake up to! The snow is absolutely beautiful up here!!! I will be the happiest girl alive if we 1- have no school on Monday and 2- if my boyfriend from Philly is not able to go home today!! Looks like some very heavy and wet snow as the branches from the pine trees are almost touching the snow on the ground.
Watch out snow here we come to sled, build snow men and make snow angels!! FUN!!!
16" in timonium. Last night between 1 and 2 there were some very strong bands and there was thundersnow!!!!
0830-
Fallston
26.6F Snow has stopped.
Snow measuring stick, 50 yards from backdoor, registers 14". Even with mild drifting, we're still talking a foot.
Well the snowblower and I burned off Thanksgiving Dinner on the front sidewalk, and Christmas dinner on the back sidewalk and parking lot areas. Now I need BCPS to cancel for tomorrow so I can rehydrate and allow the Advil time to reach my gnarled fingers.
Hey at least I'm not like those overly ambitious Timonium people with 16 or 18 inches. And Columbia, what are they trying to prove with 20 inches???
Julee is probably writing lesson plans now worried we'll have school tomorrow. No wait I heard she's at the library making copies.
16 inches and snowing lightly, total was just on the news, so I guess that was an official reading. Now to the job of snow cleanup, although I really love to see it untouched,and it's quite chilly, with a windchill of 6.HAPPY SHOVELING!
Harpers Ferry has 14". (This measurement is not up in the Mountains, if I had to guess I would say they probably have more). Kids are loving it:)
Offical WGAL News 8 total for New Freedom/Shrewsbury PA. 19" and still light snow falling.
Mr. Foot
Can I ask your reasoning for having no school. I'm in the NW Suburbs of Philly (Montgomery County)...
The event is almost over, and its 10am. The roads will be clared by tomorrow....can you tell me why you think there will be no school?
thanks
PS I didnt have work today (yay!!)
We have about 16 inches here as of 9 AM. Went out to eat at the diner took some pictures.
Here in Elkridge (Eastern Howard County) we got 14-15 inches! Neighborhood has been cleared by neigbors. Can't imagine places like Western Howard County where snow plows don't go by as much. The Weather Channel(and mty friend) reported Columbia got 20+ inches. That's insane! We got the worst of it, atleast besides Boston. Howard County Schools may be closed through Tuesday because side roads still haven't been cleared.
No school? Easy.. this is based on an extensive conversation I had with our local bus garage during the Feb Blizzard of 03, and I have pics to prove it.
It is a logistical nightmare for districts to clear their bus parking lots. Sidewalks and school lots are simple but a little time consuming. When you get this much snow, you can't just plow right on down the bus lot, because you'll plow the buses in, making it more difficult to get them out. So instead each driver has to dig out around their wheels, the plow pushes the snow back, the bus is pulled completely out of the way. The plow then pushes all the snow blocking that particular bus back to the end of the lot. Then start over. Takes at least 30 minutes to 1 hour per bus depending on size and how many people working on each bus. Given the scope of the storm and the possible shortage of manpower, you might be lucky to have 1 driver available to clear our their bus. If you have a lot of 30+ buses, you've got a HUGE task ahead of you. If they start working NOW (assuming the drivers and essential personnel can GET out of their homes and IN to the lot itself, they will have to work for oh, say 12-18 hours straight to be ready for buses to roll tomorrow morning at 5AM.
That does not include clearing off all sidewalks, parking lots, and don't forget the bus stops which might be covered over with snow from street plows. Walkers especially might have a difficult time with not all sidewalks cleared by tonight. And then when the strong winds kick in and temp plunges, anything left not cleared with freeze solid, making snow removal more difficult.
These people work the hardest of any district, harder then us teachers, but unfortunately I think it is a race against the clock they may not win. And the sheer size and coverage of the storm is such that thousands of families, administrators, teachers will have an equally difficult time getting the job done by tonight given such a wide disparity in snowfall amounts. (Ranging from 8 inches up to 21 inches in the Balto Metro region, I've heard 5 to 17 in the Philly metroi region.)
There are enough factors conspiring against the most valiant efforts of most districts to be ready for tomorrow. And in actuality, it has nothing to do with the condition of the main roads.
How's that for an answer?!
Now I have to go out and burn off New Year's Eve Dinner and clear off the cars.
Be back when totally exhausted.
Hey Mr. Foot, if it makes you feel any better, we had about four inches here in Rocky Point. That is just a bit south of Essex on the water if you don't know where it is.
Hey Mr. Foot,
Ms. Ryan from Chesapeake High(BCPS) here. I am loving the snow event and agree with cancellation tomorrow. I'm thinking mainly about side roads and the school lots. I am hoping for the free day to grade before interims....
19" by Rutgers in CNJ. Probably will wind up with 20" Central park NY is at 23" They got 11" of snow in 3 hours!!! NY may wind up with one of there biggest storms ever.
That is some heavy snow...just shoveled out2 cars...took 2 hours- cant imagine how long each bus would take...
almost too deep for the kid to sled- he went head over heals in the snow and that ended the snow play- great snow though for the snowball fight!!!
Enjoy your shoveling and hot chocolate reward afterwards!!
Lucky you guys! Total here in greencastle,pa is 5". It is 34 and sunny and the snow is melting. :(
All I hear is the sound of melting snow going into the rain gutters. Foot any more snow this winter season?
I just ran up to Hereford Middle (26 miles away) to pull some books for the science teacher's lesson tomorrow on planets . . . in an alternate universe.
We have 17 inches -- I'm going NOWHERE!
Just heard (Baltimore) county executive Jim Smith explaining the deal about schools.
In a BIG storm such as this, the Board of Ed's trucks help the highway people plow the roads, THEN the highway people help the Board of Ed plow their parking lots, etc.
Mr. Smith says the major problem THEN is the streets and corners where kids have to stand to GET the buses. If kids would have to stand in the street, schools will be closed.
He said the decision about schools will be made this evening. I think it has already been made -- by the scope of the storm.
Well, Captain O., you promised us in DECEMBER that we would have a cloudy January and a HUGE storm in February. NO other weather service did that! Then in January, you promised a big storm between Feb 10 and 20. Off by one day, but I refuse to be persnickity over 24 hours.
Don't sweat the small stuff, you accurately presented the BIG picture months ago! That's something NO weather service will attempt in public.
And it's BEAUTIFUL, isn't it?
I forced myself to wake up four times last night so that I could see it in action. Always disappointed when the heaviest snow is at night -- waste of snow-watching time!
I agree with you Linda -- makes me sad when the pristine white blanket gets plowed and shoveled all over the place.
Happy Monday, Educators!
p.s. Eric -- want to move to Baltimore?
P.S EH Boston, You Still Alive? MR. 20+. Maybe I will come to boston.
Wow what an interesting perspective on the Board of Ed trucks versus the County Trucks. Is this a new policy? I never remember seeing any County trucks helping to clear lots in the Feb 03 Storm. So based on that scenario we'll have school on what, Wednesday?
Since Ms. Ryan just reminded me that interims are due soon, I guess I should do that instead of waste all day on the computer. I knew there was something I was supposed important to do this weeked...
Thanks for all the great comments and observations. What a storm. Thank God I am not in New York or Boston. Then again, maybe this is Mr EH's revenge for us always teasing him about New England Snow.
Maybe now is the time that we can appropriately say,
BOSTAMORE
I was wondering myself where EH was. I thought for sure that you would update us on your snow. I love when it snows during the day because you can watch the beauty of it. Although I have to say that I stayed up till 430am, and then got back up at 600. It was a night to be inside.ERIC keep us posted.
We have a good 17.5 inches here between Churchville and Bel Air. I am hoping to hear from BCPS tonite instead of the crack of dawn tomorrow morning. That way I can watch the olympic coverage guilt free.
As for snow repeating, now that this storm has arrived, it increases the chances of another similar event later this month, dare I say around President;s Weekend. Am looking into that and will post on it when I digest the info.
Oh, were we TEASING Eric about the snow?
Agree with you Mr. Foot -- the county helping the Board of Ed sounds like a stretch. Maybe the county uses the BoE's trucks, then leaves them flat.
Leaves them flat -- that's an interesting expression. Wonder what the etiology of that saying is ... anyone know? Something to do with tires?
Julee... use "etiology" for your word of the day for, er, Thursday since the County Govt will be usurping our trucks until then.
Oh thats right it's THEIR trucks, or rather OUR trucks we loan THEM since they pay for them, or rather WE pay the Govt for them, then they let us use them, since the trucks are theirs and ours, at the same time but with different owners.
I'm confused now, I'll just stick to forecasting.
Mr. Foot,you noticed that the storm had an eye to it, twc just mentioned it, way long after you did. your the man!
I've noticed that when we have a BIG storm like this, a weekly pattern usually develops, so I looked ahead on Accuweather and sure enough, even this far out, snow/sleet/fr.rain are "predicted" for the next two successive weekends.
Spot ON Mr. Foot! Keep on truckin'!
The word for the origin of a word is "etymology." Etiology is the word for the origin of a disease, as in, "Scientists have a theory of the etiology of HIV being in Africa."
Looked at the latest GFS and sure enough there it is a low pressure moving from around texas up the coast. NICE!! Hopefully the models don't start going crazy on this one too. WAIT Major storm, ohh never mind, MAJOR Storm!!, or not!
You know what I mean.
hey Mr. B, have you heard anything on the Fam tour for March?
CHIP! OF COURSE -- I have family members in medicine, I should have thought longer before using "etiology."
Does etymology work for phrase origins?
And what does this have to do with snow?
Here, I'll make it relate -- the Yup'ik Eskimo language has 15 snow lexemes.
i would post an update but i have a little one (kaselyn) at my side who just keeps drinking and drinking. like this storm must have driven her to the bottle. all this forecasting must make her hungry
When Hutchinson was County Exec, the Bd of Ed trucks were commandeered to do highways on the logic that there ain't gonna be no school if nobody can drive anywhere anyway.
As far as the county helping to clear school property, they might , but I've never seen it.
14" here in the Great White North. Had to take apart the %$&($%$% carburetor on the snow thrower to get the *%W##@$! to work.
150 foot driveway = NO shoveling!!
Anybody get a wind speed on that vortex in Foot's photo. "Tropical" Storm Eta??
...or would it be Theta?
TerpFellow
Perhaps Smith just SAID they help BoE because it seemed like good PR (mollifies shaky parents who're afraid they'll be stuck indoors with kidlets on Monday) AND he was on live TV.
I THOUGHT it sounded radical!
18 inches of snow here around Norristown, PA (Montgomery County)
I attend a private school, so it depends on what the public schools do which inturn despends on the bus districts...
I hope you're right, Mr. Foot. Only 1 snow day so far, when normally we would have 4 or so by now, so they can def afford to give us a day off...
But would they want to give us a day off, esp when tomorrows going to be sunny (i know that has no effect, but its just weird to think about...)
I'm hoping...
as of right now i rate my chances:
10%-no school
30%-2hr delay
60%-full day
what do you think, Mr. Foot, concerning Philadelphia schools (esp in the immediate NW suburbs...)
I think you should have another "Ice won't be nice" title for tonight. Everything will freeze and the roads will be an icy mess. Central Maryland is expecting 18 degree weather tonight. All snow and wet streets will become ice. I really feel bad if they don't get all those busses out of the lots.
We just got the official notice of school closing tomorrow:)
hi mr. foot! i have been watching this site the whole winter and finally it snowed! i go to hereford high and am really hoping for no school...wat do u think the call is going to be? just measured the snow--18.5 inches in hereford!
Wow they're already announcing cancellation! Usually they're announced around 9-10 PM and at the earliest 7 PM. Where exactly are you located WVmommyof3? Eastern WV, Central, or Western?
Yes, Julee, I have heard etymology used in reference to a phrase also.
I think we got about 11-12" here in Loch Raven Village (near Loch Raven Academy). Any further thoughts on BCPS being in or out tomorrow?
Foot, I'm extremely jealous. I'm in Fells Point, and we only got 8 inches. I want more!!!! This is like the snow I'm used to getting in early NOVEMBER in Michigan!!!!
I've also got my observation on Tuesday... think I can get into the building on Monday?
Kind of unrelated unless you live there, but Prince William County in Virginia announced their schools will be closed tomorrow. If they're closed and we got more,
I'd bet we would be too.
All right folks, I'll trapse (sp?) up to the bus lot for a picture. Here's my prediction just for BCPS:
1. If the lot is stunningly clear of snow, you'd better pack your lunch.
2. If they haven't even started, then turn off the alarm, y'aint gonna need it tomorrow.
3. If they are working on it feverishly, then possible there'll be a 2 hour delay but won;t be announced until, you know, a convenient time like 5:42 AM.
Just kidding I doubt they would drag it out like that given magnitude of storm.
If you want to hear a good weather talk show on radio... visit
http://www.weathertalkradio.com/
I will be calling into the show
410-922-6680
Wow so your predicting another snow storm for middle of next week? You sure are something foot. Hopefully your right. The more snow the better.
Well it's 3:30 PM here in the Great Valley, PA. The roads are clear all ~17 inches of it. There seems to be little wind so no blowing snow. I would assume if they started clearing the schools and bus lots there will be school. If the wind picks up and they aren't even started clearning snow, then delay or no school. I don't know why I should care, because the rest of us work no matter what, either from home or the office.
Here are some interesting developments from our local bus lot in Dundalk.
1. It looks mostly clear, as are all the main roads and secondaries. I would guess if they had to get the buses rolling tomorrow morning they could so with no problem.
2. The workers tell me there are 7 staff to clear 12 schools yet in the area, and 6 of them have not been touched yet.
3. Many of the vehicles have been commandered for clearing county roads and are not back yet
4. The grounds crews are being sent home at 6PM because the equipment necessary to continue working is not available.
5. All the parking lots and sidewalks at Dundalk Middle are clear, but the large lots at Dundalk High are not clear.
Please do not interpret this information as criticism of our county workers. They have a massive task and I am very impressed they have done as much as I saw.
So if I were a betting man, I would say that the decision to close schools Monday will be based on worse problems elsewhere and not because of what is going on in Southeast Balto County.
I report, you decide. Mr. Goodnight, you'd better be ready for that observation on Tuesday just in case.
I am in the eastern panhandle of WV. We border Loudoun Co. VA and Washington Co MD. I wasnt that shocked about the schools because part of our county contains roads in the mountains and they take longer to clear.
Based on what Mr. Foot just said, looks like a full day of school down there...
of course, every area has a different situation, so im still hoping here in Montgomery County, PA, for a day off
*fingers crossed*
according to WBAL site:
Harford County Schools
Harford County
Monday Morning: Closed, Code Blue
Submitted at: 4:27 PM EST on Sunday, Feb 12
getting closer to baltimore county...i hope!
Then again, melting and refreezing can cause problems of it;s own. We had a big surprise 2-hr delay a few weeks back from icy roads in the northern part of the County. I would be surprised if THAT can cause a delay but THIS can't.
Anonymous in Montgomery County... I'm leaning on a 2-hour delay for you. There is no blowing and drifting because the snow is packed down now from settling. I think any reason for closing would have to rest on the bus parking lots, safety of the bus stops and refreezing of snow and water causing black ice.
Could be a bad sign for those hoping for a day off Monday in BCPS.
The County Govt lifted the snow emergency plan sometime this afternoon. We shall see. I expect we'l see an announcement on the evening news coming up soon.
it's flurrying down in hereford...hoping for a day off so i can watch the olympics..maybe a hereford zone day?
Well Montgomery County, MD has just closed schools. What do you think about Howard County? I would think with the 20+ inch snowfall in Columbia that it would be guaranteed closed. Your opinion?
I just said a novena that you will all be off school tomorrow.
Ho Co always likes to mess with your head until the last second, like 5:47 AM. You would think with 20 inches that might negate such a philosophy. This seems totally irrational but I've heard that old timers say once BC goes, everyone else falls like dominoes. So we're waiting for one of the big fish to take a jump.
I am still expecting an I-95 clean sweep (Cecil on down to DC) because of the magnitude of the storm and disparity of accumulations. BUT, pack your lunch and do your HW or lessons just in case so you are not rushing tomorrow. I'm going to go play with my daughter Jayla in the snow in hopes when I come back there are surprises waiting.
FYI-Md Cos. still w/ S.E.P.- 1700 local
Caroline
Prince Georges
Talbot
Anne Arundel
Carroll
Howard
Montgomery
Hi everyone,
Well Foot I got about 12" in Hamiltion and my mom swears she got about 20" in Owings Mills, I wonder what the offical counts are? I hope there is no school, but out county is screwy. Since we get out for it being too windy...hmmmm..
Shaine
It's snowing a lovely fluffy snow in Pikesville now -- so beautiful against the sky at sunset.
Really SNOWING -- not flying around like a flurry!
Out here behind Old Court Middle School we have 11.5 inches of the fluffy stuff. They haven't even touched the school yard. Rolling Road looks like all they have done is put some salt down on the road, and plowed a little. Not bare pavement.
Where's Old Court? I wonder if they cleared other schools.
That's what we like to hear! I can't imagine that they wouldn't make an announcement at 6pm. If Harford and Montgomery is cancelled -- we would be right in that line with those counties. Towson University is even opening at 9am. I really think that 10 to 22 inches of snow deserves at least 1 day off.
One full day of snow fun with decent conditions would be fine by me.
Hey, Bell86... what we deserve, and what we get, are all too often two different things... But I agree that Harford and Monkey Counties are in line with us. It will be interesting to see what happens with Carroll and Annie Counties, if Balmer County still hasn't made a call. And as another poster mentioned, there is always a Hereford Zone day... sorry to Mr. Foot and the rest of you Balmer County folks, but we in the Great White North will take what we can get... How about a Balmer County 2 hour delay, Hereford Zone closed...? Then we don't get charged for the day...? Well, time will tell...
This just in... BCPS is closed for tomorrow!!!!!!! I bet more will follow.
WBAL.com is the best by far
Finally -- Chipper we all got what we deserve. I'm closing my lesson plans up and calling it a night. Two 4 day weeks in a row!!
I wonder if EH lost power in the storm?
Baltimore County is closed MOnday...so says WBAL.com...YAHOO!!!
yessssssssss!!!! no school. bcps rarely closes before the morning. Last time they closed the night/nights before was 03.
Hoco nothing yet. UGH!
High Five to Mr. Foot, Julee, Bell and all Balmer County Edumacators! Thanks for your work and updates, Mr. Foot... as always, you are the MAN! We can enjoy our day off, and start looking forward to the next go-round! Feliz lunes!
For those of you who don't teach in Baltimore County:
Years ago, when we got hit several years in row with big storms, the county took away spring break. Hundreds, if not thousands, of parents and teachers lost deposits on reservations on trips and cruises.
The county then "added" 8 days at the end of the year, in case we had a major storm.
But get this- if we used NONE, they only knocked off a week (5 days), we would have to work 3 days of our vacation time, without compensation. There are several days at the end of the year that are considered paid vacation days for teachers.
(For the uninformed-NO we don't get 3 months off, and NO we don't get paid for the summer.)
Tomorrow's "snowday" is the second of the extra two we would have to work at the end of the year.
(the extra days have been lowered to 7). We "used" one in early December.
Yay!
yeeeeehaawwwwww. clean sweep is cleaning up.
now i can get the work done tomorrow i was supposedto do today.
baby care alert... when i am typing in lower case, i am on baby duty
what did happen to eh? myabe he was out throwing snow on the supt's yard to increase his chances of no school as well.
now you all.. don't stay up all night, and make tomorrow productive, might be last time for a while.
I find it very ironic how Howard County got hit the worst, but schools still haven't been closed. Also, they announced 70% if main roads have been cleared and even less of residential. Most side roads aren't even clear yet! Very, very surprising.
Anne Arundel Schools have now been announced to be closed tomorrow. Howard County is still not being reported.
COME ON!!!!
MD schools seem all closed, correct?
Alot of NJ schools are closed.
NYC and Bos schools too most likely
but how about PA!!!!!
I'm going crazy here!!! If I dont have atleast a delay im gonna be angry!! 18inches in Montgomery County, PA...that surely warrants a day off, does it now?
Give me some hope Mr. Foot and all!!
*granted it's only 7pm...*
ANNE ARUNDLE COUNTY, BALTIMORE COUNTY,CECIL COUNTY, HARFORD COUNTY, and PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
SCHOOLS are CLOSED tomorow. I Love the snow!!!
Howard County was just announced closed by ABC2. Finally!
Poor Carroll County folks... still waiting...
Good luck!
So appropriate that I learn of Ho Co being closed to the tune of the Olympic Theme as the camera swoops down over the Italian Alps as the announcement scrolls across the bottom of the screen...
And just as the crescendo clashes... HOWARD COUNTY CLOSED.
I'm making a big deal because my sister-in-law is down there and it seems they always get short end of the snowshovel.
Anonymous in Montgomery Co, PA.. be patient. I lived in Chesco most of my life and all those smaller districts rarely announce the night before. I'm sure you will be closed. It's just that in metro areas, our schools are county-wide, so there is a little more pressure for them to make the decision eitherway because it affects so many more people than a small PA district, (mine was T-E).
Or you can drive yourself bonkers checking KYW1060's school site.
have your lessons ready, by the time you finish writing them, the announcement will be made, right?
I think i will have off...
as i stated above, all other states have many closings, PA just needs to follow now...
Our school had a ski trip to VT this weekend, and they cant get back--stranded in Albany right now, so 40+ ppl wont be in tomorrow even if we have school
3 ppl i talked to have been out
one has said most roads "havnt been plowed, and the rest are freezing over"
and the other 2 have said that "Morris-main road-is fine, 309-main road-is messed up"
Busses take back roads too, so if major roads arnt in good condition, God knows what the back roads look like.
COME ON SE PA SCHOOLS....START CLOSING!!!
anyone in the NW suburbs of Philly, list if yout school has been closed/delayed...
Hmm... It said that Anne Arundel schools were closed, but wbal.com recinded it. Are they or aren't they? It doesn't effect me, but it is weird.
hoco: I just the checked AA schools website. They are CLOSED. By the way, we got about 15" in Perry Hall.
HAHAHA, NYC public schools: OPEN
I prob shouldnt be laughing cos i havnt heard anything about SE PA schools, but from the reports I head (stated above) roads arnt looking good with 8hrs till crunch time...
Plus, if MD can have cancellations so can suburbs og Philly. Plus, NYC spent like $25million on plowing, i doubt SE PA have....still rate my chances highly...
any updates concerning PA schools post below...
Doubt it, but do you think there will be delays or closings for any schools on Tuesday?
Tue: some delays yes, closings no.
wow...nyc open? amazing.
am feeding babe with left hand again, typing w right hand
goodnight...you still better be ready, besides i know your dept chair and she'll expect u 2 xtra ready now.
I think I have some on SE PA. Is this it?
http://wbal.com/news/story.asp?articleid=40821
nah that's MD....
still awaiting news from SE PA....8pm is incredibly early though...
some should start rolling in between 11pm and midnight, and then 4-5AM is the big update...
sooner would obv be much appreciated
normally i go to bed at 11pm, watch TV until 11.30ish, then sleep...
tonight i think im going to ride my luck and stay up til 12-12.30, and if i get the announcement sooner, then i will stay up till as long as i want to
i'm either gonna be thrilled or v angry and tired come tomorrow morning...please be the former!! lol
mr. a in mont co pa...
i am seeing a lot of 2-hr delays in chesco... great valley, d-town, c-ville. you might want to prepare for a late opening too.
my baby girl is laying on me to one side so i'm limited to 1 finger for typing.
Wow I just realized HoCo kids get 3 4-day weeks in a row. Last week was conferences, this week is the snow, and next week is Presidents day.
Please only let it be a delay on Tuesday if anything at all..not only do we have a basketball game that is a total pain to reschedule- but I have a ton of candy for the students and players...
What a nice little surprise for powderhounds! This old dog was out here sniffing, taking pictures, and shoveling snow. Snow blower got stuck in this one. Snow was a mix of heavy wet snow and powder snow on top. Boy waiting for a snow storm has really aged me in the last year. Went from being 29 to 30 yrs old. Went from being a newly wed., to married old man. Now I have a little (Andy Southern York County Jr. on the way!) If it's a boy it will be (Tyler, Southern York County) Girl maybe (Bryn, Southern York County) but like many weather forecasts names are subject to Change! Since Mr. Foot is the resident baby expert we may just have to "kick" around some parenting ideas together! This hound is off to the dog house for a good night sleep, but first better stop off at the fire hydrant!!!! WOOOF......
the count, as it stands now, is 1-1
Central Bucks: Delayed 2hrs
North Penn: Closed
North Penn sends 2-3 buses to my school, so thats a huge one.
Please, other school districts, follow suit and close!!
still could go either way...
and yes, i just made predicting tomorrow's outcome into a sport haha ;-)
Methacton (my school district) is also a huge one, they send 2 buses as well, and they almost always close...still awaiting them along with many other calls....
right, im getting PUMPED so im gonna update here haha
add two more to Closed:
Lower Merion: CLOSED
Abington: CLOSED
the score now is 3-1 in favor of Closing
it's looking v good Mr. Foot....
post 100...do i get a prize?
15 districts bus to my school
Ok, as of 12:10am-
TWO HOUR DELAYS: 2
CLOSED: 6
7 havn't reported as yet...but even if u divvy it up so that Delay gets 4more and Closed 3 more, the total would be 9-6 in favor of Close...
how can u have school when majority of kids wont be there?
so unless almost all the rest go for a 2hr delay i will have off...good chances me thinks :-)
gonna watch a movie till 2, then wake up at 9 to enjoy my day off
'AVE THAT!!
right, "Snow" DAY!!
wooo lol
5.40am, talk about leaving it late...now all the lower school parents have to scramble around looking for babysitters...my school is pathetic when it comes to logistics...i called this 5 hrs ago
right, it's been fun
keep up the good work, Mr. Foot...i will post more comments when u have them open to everyone
Congrats Mr. Anon in Mont Co PA. A well deserved day off. I assume my fellow Balmer folk are sleeping in. What a great feeling it is to be paid to sleep.
The next update is in progress, but will be the last of the week as updates now switch to the email list until we get another storm.
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