Several schools in Maryland and Virginia are planning early dismissals and closures on Tuesday because of inclement weather in the forecast.
Go here to see all school closings.
Storm Team4 has issued a Weather Alert ahead of a storm that's expected to bring heavy rain, possible flooding and strong winds that could lead to power outages and felled trees in the DMV.
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In Maryland:
- Anne Arundel County schools will dismiss two hours early.
- Calvert County schools will dismiss two hours early.
- Charles County schools will close two hours early.
- Frederick County (Maryland) schools will close three hours early.
- Howard County schools will dismiss three hours early.
- Montgomery County Public Schools will close 2 1/2 hours early on a code blue.
- Prince George’s County will dismiss students two hours early.
- St. Mary’s County’s schools will dismiss two hours early.
In Virginia:
- Culpeper County schools will be closed on Tuesday.
- Fauquier County elementary schools and Marshall Middle School will dismiss at 12 p.m. All secondary schools will dismiss at 11 a.m.
- Frederick County (Virginia) schools will open two hours late.
- King George County schools will close two hours early.
- Orange County schools will be closed.
- Spotsylvania County schools will be closed.
- Stafford County schools will dismiss two hours early.
Most after-school activities in these school districts have been canceled.
School closure announcement timing frustrates some families
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announced their schedule change at about 8:30 a.m., about an hour after Prince George's County Public Schools. In Frederick County, Maryland, parents were emailed at about 8:55 a.m. about the three-hour-early closure. News4 heard from Montgomery County parents who were irritated that the district announced an early dismissal after some kids were already on buses or at school.
“Tens of thousands of families scrambling right now because you couldn’t make this call last night,” one person said to MCPS on X.
“Could’ve made this call last night when almost every other district in the region did,” another person said.
School administrators carefully consider all school closure decisions, MCPS spokesman Christopher Cram told News4, saying, “We have to take so much into consideration.”
“As important as safety is, we also have to make sure that our students have access to their educational programs,” he said.
"I've heard a lot of people talking about, 'Schools closing? It's just rain!' Well, it's not just rain, guys," Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said. "It's really the wind that's going to be the factor, especially east of I-95. Winds gusting upwards of 50 to 60 mph at times. I expect to see a lot of trees down during the day tomorrow as a result of all the rain we've seen over the past five or six weeks."
About 10 inches of rain have fallen in that time, Kammerer said.
What to know about Tuesday's forecast
Tuesday's storm is expected to dump another 1 to 3 inches of rain. A flood watch has been issued across the region. Wind advisories or high wind warnings are in effect. Here's a full list of weather alerts.
The direction of the wind could intensify the effects of the storm, and coastal flooding is likely, Storm Team4 says.
To date, this winter is the second wettest on record in the D.C. area. Tuesday’s rainfall could push us up to first place.
Tuesday's storm and another expected to arrive on Friday are energized by the exceptionally strong El Niño and will cause major impacts for almost all of the lower 48 states.
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