Foot's Forecast | Weather Intelligence

WELCOME BACK TO THE 1960'S

I say that because old time teachers (and weather enthusiasts with a good memory for such things) have told me these kinds of situations used to happen a lot "back in the day." Mrs. Wrenn, a recently retired librarian from my school and a kindred spirit, could recount time after time how districts back then would be opening on time, only to have snow or ice coming down heavy. As the buses arrived at school, they would be told to turn around and take everyone back. There were other times back before the mass media culture of today, when some districts had initially announced a closing, only to change it to delayed or even opening on time. If any of you can recall those situations, it would be fun to hear about what went down. I never experienced that kind of confusion as a kid in school. The closest we ever came to that in suburban Philadelphia was the February 11, 1983 blizzard, incidentally which was a quick 25 years ago this past Monday. That morning, my Mom said, "Well, school is closed." There had been virtually no snow all winter where I lived, and nothing was on the ground. Sure enough as she told me the news, flurries began. Twenty-four hours later, we had at least 2 feet. That single event was the catalyst which launched my weather addiction, uh, er, interest and as you see it continues to this day.

SO WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE LATE CALLS? Except for school staff, many of whom have to drive considerable distances, and parents who now have to do a switcheroo loop-de-loop on their plan for today...I'm sure students are quite happy with the outcome. If you're mad or confused about how this unfolded, here's my theory: When county assessment teams performed their roundup this morning, it seemed reasonable to expect that mostly parking lots and sidewalks would be problematic, but main roads, side streets would be fine. I'll bet when drivers reported to their buses, they discovered melting icicles and a generally improving situation. Given the normal daily flow of traffic, and slowly rising air temps, just the movement of vehicles would help warm pavements. So between 7:00 and 7:30.. buses started rolling. My hypothesis on the deciding factor is that once buses got out into areas not as frequently traveled, back roads, back streets, they started running into much more slippery conditions than were anticipated. I'll bet buses began radioing back to their base station, and the chorus got loud enough that it rose to the decision-makers, which pulled the plug.

Mind you I'm not criticizing the decision, but I am confident that counties did not just randomly decide to wait until 7:30 and then announce a closing. Conditions on the ground apparently had not improved enough, and perhaps air temperatures are not rising as quickly as expected. So as the previous post headlines: Uncertainty did in fact win this time.

For those who don't read the comments, or can't find them..I pulled out some snippets from the previous post for you to enjoy here. Thank you to everyone for supporting the website and posting your observations and reflections. It has been a great 4 years thus far, and I'm sure we'll get to relish in one good snowstorm before the winter is out.

Stephanie said...

I've been reading your blog since last winter and I have enjoyed your take on our unpredictable local weather!I do have to add in a report from Columbia/Howard - I'll be really surprised if schools are just delayed tomorrow. I commute from DC and it took me about 30 minutes to clear the ice off of my car after skating across the parking lot at the train station.We had a nice sheet of ice everywhere at 6-7pm and it rained steadily until at least 9pm. It may have stopped now, I can't tell, but my sidewalk looks even more icy than it was a few hours ago.
February 12, 2008 10:16 PM

Christopher said...
Here's hoping PSU cancels classes tomorrow! 2 of my 4 I would LOVE to miss!!
February 12, 2008 10:46 PM
Prospero said...
Still around 30 here in White Marsh, and the precip just keeps coming. What is it about this week?Russ: I hope you don't lose water (or electricity).Maybe tomorrow we'll get that magic day.
February 12, 2008 10:47 PM
Mr.S said...
AA county Severn at 1130pm - icy as heck!! Our trex deck is a skating rink and all brick and power lines covered . Streets just look wet and we have heard the plows with salt . Hate to say I think it may only be a delay for tomorrow ! Here is to hoping I am wrong !Mr S
February 12, 2008 11:42 PM
ms abbe said...
I've been reading your blog for 3 years now and have also enjoyed it. :) 5:00am and Baltimore County was the first to announce a 2 hour delay! But I hear people sliding around on the roads outside up here in Abingdon. Interesting that even government offices are opening late. Still a possibility for a closing??
February 13, 2008 5:06 AM
bell86 said...
Baltimore County closed...back to bed.
February 13, 2008 7:37 AM
Dave said...
Hello, Mr. Foot.I have spent around two years browsing your blog and checking it nearly daily during the winter months, hoping for even the slightest mention of a delay, closing, snow, ice, or anything else in the Baltimore County area that could lead to me sleeping in.I have decided to make use of the time off to sign up and thank you for giving us a knowledgable and concise yet understandable and basic report of what we can expect in terms of weather.I would also like to congratulate you on correctly predicting the closing and delays of many schools in the surrounding regions.I think that is enough of an introduction for now.Incase anybody missed it, Baltimore County and a few others areas decided to close, thankfully.
February 13, 2008 7:44 AM
snow lover said...
mr foot what is up with the snow that is forecasted for tonight.
February 13, 2008 7:44 AM
Mrs. Burke said...
Fantastic, Harford County follow suit with Baltimore. Let's make it like last year, have off tomorrow, and a delay on Friday . . . that would be awesome. Better yet, off on Friday too so I can leave for my president's day vacation to Luray early!!! The trees are looking mighty bogged down with ice here in Nottingham! It looks like it is raining out there. Also - my husband even has a delayed opening this morning. That should tell you something, because JHU APL hasn't done that since this time last year! Happy sleeping late everyone!
February 13, 2008 7:51 AM
photofreak65 said...
Yeah! We closed. Of course the change was made just as I had awakened my high schooler (she would get on the bus @8:30 in a 2 hr delay) I told her to go back to bed - we are closed. she said, "goodnight". It is an icy mess out there. It's 32 degrees right now. The trees and grass are just beautiful. I want to venture out with the camera, but I'm afaid I'll kill myself - plus it's raining hard. Mr. Foot this is a great site. A friend of yours introduced me to this site last year and I've been hooked ever since. This storm is my first comments though. Ok now this day off officially makes Balto Co have 2 days off and 2 hours. But this is built into the calendar. Keep up the good work! I enjoy reading this.
February 13, 2008 8:05 AM
NeedaSnowday said...
Heya Mr Foot... home safely from ORLANDO, where it was just glorious! And, just like last year... A DAY OFF to rest!! Must be Disney Magic!! :)
February 13, 2008 8:22 AM
Mr.S said...
Well Mr. Foot, you were right! I didn't expect this. My only comments are that AA County was open on time, but AA Gov Offices are closed and on Liberal Leave. There is the confusion between living in one county and working in another! I was up and dressed, and almost ready to leave when I heard the delay got changed to a closing. Well here's to a shortened work week! See you on Thursday. On a side note, sorry to the student from Calvert Hall, noticed no closing/delay for them.
February 13, 2008 8:27 AM
Mr. Foot said...
How weird is this? Welcome back to the 1960's I guess. Thanks for all the nice remarks. I'm going to put your comments in a little followup post. I have a theory on how this came about, so don't go blaming your county systems for a late call. Check back in a few for a quick post on this up above.Side note: I arrived at my children's daycare at 8:15 and they handed me the phone.. school's closed. My first thought was, "so this is what it was like in the 60's." I have been told all kinds of horror stories of schools being open on time, then suddenly closing when the buses were arriving, and even the reverse of that. In fact a few of you may even know those stories, except for Julee...that would have been before her time, (tee hee hee).