Ahead of this past weekend’s winter storm, NBC4 meteorologist Chuck Bell set expectations for an extended regional shutdown as the system approached the DC area, saying he did not believe a single school district in the DMV would be open for even one day this week. On Monday, Bell doubled down on that assessment, saying there is a “very high chance that school closures could go a long way into the week.”
In a video that has been viewed more than 150,000 times online, Bell added that “some districts may still have a chance to be closed all week long” as bitterly cold temperatures linger across the region, slowing snow and ice removal efforts and creating hazardous conditions.
Conditions on the ground across Montgomery County appear to support that concern. As of early Tuesday afternoon, many neighborhoods had yet to see a plow, while others that were plowed reported vehicles being boxed in by snow pushed back into driveways and parking areas. Commenters responding to a social media post showing an untouched neighborhood just outside the City of Gaithersburg said similar conditions exist in parts of Olney, Colesville, Potomac, and other areas. Several also noted that many schools across the county have not yet been cleared.
The MoCoSnow Pencil Prediction came in at 4 Pencils, with additional clarification that it is “closer to 4.5 pencils,” signaling a high likelihood of another full closure. Montgomery County Public Schools is expected to make a decision on school operations for Wednesday, January 28, by 4pm Tuesday.
