Snow Changes MoCo School Plans For Dec. 15

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — With weekend snowfall ranging from an inch to nearly 5 inches, all Montgomery County Public Schools and offices will be under a Code Yellow delayed start on Monday, Dec. 15.

District officials announced the delay late Sunday afternoon.

All district schools and offices will open two hours late. Morning, all-day, and after-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled; families are urged to check directly with their childcare provider.

Code Yellow status means:

• Schools and offices will open two hours late.
• Emergency personnel report as directed.
• Morning bus routes will operate on a two-hour delay.
• All field trips and activities that begin at 10:30 a.m. or earlier are canceled, including programs at Thomas Edison High School of Technology.
• Infant and toddler appointments scheduled before 10 a.m. are canceled and will be rescheduled; appointments at 10 a.m. or later will continue as planned.
• Morning PreK/Head Start and AM PreK Special Education programs are canceled.
• Morning, all-day, and after-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled; families are encouraged to check directly with their childcare provider for more information.
• Afternoon PreK/Head Start and PM PreK Special Education programs will begin at their regular time.
• Schools will dismiss at their normal time.
• Community Use programs will occur as scheduled.

Any update to this guidance will be made by 7 a.m. on Monday.

Montgomery County received 1–3 inches of snow in various locations throughout the Ccounty overnight on Saturday, and MCPS transportation and operations teams have been working throughout Sunday to clear snow and ice from school facilities and buses, a district statement said. This work will continue through Monday morning.

"With very cold temperatures in the mid-teens and wind chills in the single digits overnight and tomorrow morning, conditions are expected to cause refreezing on roads, sidewalks, and parking lots," the district said. "Out of an abundance of caution, MCPS will open schools and offices two hours late on Monday, December 15, 2025. This delayed opening will allow additional daylight to improve visibility and time for crews to continue treating surfaces and for travel conditions to improve. Though your neighborhood streets and sidewalks may be clear, the staff that serve your child’s school may be in an area that still has some snow and ice, making it difficult for everyone to get to school on time. Student drivers and walkers should be extra attentive to black ice and take extra time when traveling to school tomorrow morning. Bundle up and stay safe!"

There are over 5,200 miles of county-maintained roads in Montgomery County. If your street is in need of attention, report trouble spots to 311.

How does MCPS make weather-related operating status decisions?

Officials consider:

• The safety of students, staff, and families
• Current and extended weather forecast
• Road and traffic conditions

Closures and Delayed Opening:

• National Weather Service forecast
• Coordination of School System and County Response
• Evening Decision - made and announced by 7 pm
• If necessary, updates and forecast from National Weather Service by 4:30 am
• Coordination of School System and County Response
• Morning Decision - made and announced by 5 am (Unless there is an emergency that necessitates a later notification time.)

Early Release

• National Weather Service forecast
• Coordination of School System and County Response
• Early Release Decision - made and announced by 10:30 am if weather is expected to impact afternoon transportation (Unless there is an emergency that necessitates a later notification time.)
• If weather is not expected to impact afternoon transportation, but may impact evening activities, a decision and announcement will be made as early as possible in the afternoon. (Unless there is an emergency that necessitates a later notification time.)

How residents can receive MCPS Emergency Information and any changes to the Operating Status Color Codes:

• MCPS Web: Home Page
• Sign up for Alert MCPS
• Social Media (X, Facebook, Instagram)
• Ask MCPS (240)740-3000
• Your MCPS School Home Page