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Montgomery Blair High School's Online Student Newspaper
Tags: snoWatch
Feb. 7, 2010

snoWatch: Blizzard blues

by Deepa Chellappa, Online Editor-in-Chief
UPDATE:

snoWatch had this storm on lockdown, as seen by the beautiful red message that appeared on the MCPS web site minutes ago:
Montgomery County Public Schools are closed on Monday, February 8, and Tuesday, February 9, due to emergency weather conditions.

- - - -

Sorry for leaving you in the dark, Blazers - literally. With power out in many areas of Montgomery County, the "thundersnow" has left many of us (including yours truly!) without heat, TV, computer access and of course - snoWatch.

But never fear! We're back with revised predictions for school this week (spoiler alert - there probably won't be much of it).

Monday
Chance of delayed opening: 10 percent
Chance of closing: 100 percent

It's hard to tell where the houses are... Deepa Chellappa
It's hard to tell where the houses are...
I have yet to see a plow or salt truck in my neighborhood. I also have yet to see my mailbox or car, both of which are currently covered by snow. There are massive piles of white stuff as far as the eye can see. And even if plows were to make their way to every single school and neighborhood in Montgomery County - where would they put it all? This might be a snoWatch first, but we're 100 percent certain that we'll have a snow day tomorrow.

Tuesday
Chance of delayed opening: 48 percent
Chance of closing: 97 percent

Even though the sun is finally out, freezing temperatures will persist until Wednesday or Thursday, causing ice on many sidewalks. You know the deal - if kids can't walk to school, there's no way we're going. The county won't be able to get every road and parking lot clear by Tuesday - there's just too much snow.

Wednesday
Chance of delayed opening: 85 percent
Chance of closing: 99 percent

Here's where things get tricky. We're barely into the clean-up stages and meteorologists are already predicting another two to four inches of snow and sleet Tuesday night into Wednesday. More?! Are you kidding? Looks like the county is going to begin deficit spending to cover the cost of this storm - and its aftershock.

Despite the heavy-duty shoveling (my shoulder is still sore), our neighborhood was a winter wonderland. Deepa Chellappa
Despite the heavy-duty shoveling (my shoulder is still sore), our neighborhood was a winter wonderland.
Fun fact: This snowfall is probably going to take second place on the list of D.C.'s top 10 storms (see list below). According to highly accurate measurements taken before an afternoon of intense shoveling, my area got about 24 inches.

1. January 27-28, 1922 ... 28 inches
2. February 11-13, 1899 ... 20.5 inches
3. February 18-19, 1979 ... 18.7 inches
4. January 6-8, 1996 ... 17.1 inches
5. February 15-18, 2003 ... 16.7 inches
6. February 11-12, 1983 ...16.6 inches
7. December 19-20, 2009 ... 16.4 inches
8. February 15-16, 1958 ... 14.4 inches
9. February 7, 1936 ... 14.4 inches
10. February 16-18, 1900 ... 14.3 inches

Those are snoWatch's predictions - what are yours? Tell us about your experiences, the early aftermath of the storm and the accumulation amount in your area.

Discuss this Article

  • BLAZEEEEEER on February 7, 2010 at 10:39 PM
    We are having fun, sad at the same time for those who don't power. We are 10 people in one bedroom aparment. Since my uncle was out of power so he came to my house with his family.
  • Hey on February 8, 2010 at 1:53 AM
    Thanks for doing all these snoWatch's, Deepa. They're always fun to read. :)
  • Gysae on February 8, 2010 at 6:39 PM
    I think NWS was forecasting 10-20 inches of snow, starting tuesday and ending wednesday. NOAA, on the other hand, is predicting a bit less snow, with 100% chance of precipitation tomorrow and Wednesday, at one inch tomorrow, 5-9 inches overnight, and possibly a few inches on Wednesday.
  • forecaster on February 8, 2010 at 9:22 PM
    were supposed to get 10-20 inches tuesday/wednesday
  • Student on February 9, 2010 at 1:35 PM
    Best MCPS message ever:

    EMERGENCY MESSAGE:2/8/2010 at 12:10 PM -- Refresh page to update message

    Montgomery County Public Schools are closed Wednesday, February 10, Thursday, February 11 and Friday February 12, due to emergency weather conditions. All school activities and community activities in school buildings are canceled. A decision about administrative offices will be made at a later time.
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