Many D.C.-area school districts will be closed Monday, while others will open on a delay or offer virtual learning, as a major winter storm roaring up the East Coast is expected to leave several inches of snow across the region.
The Office of Personnel Management saidfederal agencies in the region will open on a two-hour delay, with the option of unscheduled leave or telework for employees.
Multiple school districts — including those in Arlington, Fairfax and Montgomery counties — initially announced a delayed start for Monday but later shifted to a closure, citing worsening conditions. Officials in other areas said they, too, may adjust schedules if needed.
School officials weigh a number of factors, including road conditions, to decide whether to adjust their class schedules.
Announced schedule changes
- Federal agencies: Two-hour delay
- Alexandria City Public Schools*: Virtual learning; staff to work virtually dependent on work assignments and locations
- Anne Arundel County Public Schools: Virtual learning
- Arlington Public Schools*: Closed; custodial, maintenance and essential transportation staff should report on time unless otherwise directed
- Calvert County Public Schools: Closed; essential employees to report as normal
- Carroll County Public Schools: Two-hour delay
- Charles County Public Schools: Closed; two-hour delay for employees on code system
- D.C. Public Schools: Two-hour delay
- Fairfax County Public Schools*: Closed; essential personnel should follow direction of their supervisor
- Falls Church City Public Schools*: Closed
- Fauquier County Public Schools: Two-hour delay; essential employees must report on time
- Frederick County (Md.) Public Schools: Two-hour delay
- Howard County Public Schools*: Closed; virtual workday for central office staff; emergency employees to report as directed by their supervisor
- Loudoun County Public Schools: Closed
- Manassas City Public Schools*: Closed; code blue for employees
- Montgomery County Public Schools*: Closed; emergency personnel to report on time
- Prince George’s County Public Schools*: Virtual learning starting on a two-hour delay; offices to operate virtually; emergency personnel to report on a two-hour delay
- Prince William County Public Schools*: Closed; code red for employees
- Spotsylvania County Public Schools: Two-hour delay; no morning Early Childhood Special Education classes
- Stafford County Public Schools: Two-hour delay
- St. Mary’s County Public Schools: Closed; code three for staff
* had initially announced a delay
(Afternoon predictions)
Earlier, the Capital Weather Gang predicted school delays and closings were probable, and said it was also likely that the federal government will have an altered operating status.
Although this storm is not expected to be as severe as the one Jan. 25 that closed some schools for more than a week, there should be enough accumulation that many will add on yet another snow day. Moreover, while the majority of the snow is forecast to occur before sunrise Monday, some flakes could still be falling during the morning commute, especially in eastern parts of the region.
SchoolCast
We surmise enough snow will fall that most students and teachers will have a snow day on Monday. Some jurisdictions that have a higher bar for closing, such as D.C. Public Schools, may instead choose to go with a delay. It’s also possible that counties in the far southern part of the region (away from the Chesapeake Bay), where less snow is expected, opt for a delay.
FedCast
The Office of Personnel Management has a slightly higher bar for closing compared with most area schools. Because a lot of the snow will have already fallen before the morning commute, we see a delayed opening as more probable than closing. It’s highly likely that there will be an unscheduled leave and telework option.
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