Winter Storm Warning Prompts Howard County Schools To Adjust Schedule For Tuesday

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Due to the forecasted weather, all Howard County Public School System buildings will close three hours early Tuesday.

There will be not be any ARL afternoon classes and all afternoon sessions of half-day pre-kindergarten and RECC are canceled.

All aftercare programs offered through HCPSS schools that are sponsored by the Columbia Association and the Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks are canceled. All evening activities involving HCPSS students and staff are canceled. All community-sponsored programs in HCPSS buildings are canceled.

Staff have specific guidelines to follow in respect to the early dismissal.

Snowfall estimates have increased for Maryland and a winter storm warning is now in place for parts of the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., region. Parts of the Old Line State could see 8 inches of snow Tuesday into Wednesday. Forecasts vary, but they agree that snow accumulation should be greater in the Washington area than in the Baltimore region.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning, forecasting "heavy snow possible" and "snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches." Counties under the warning include: Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, Charles, St. Mary's and Calvert.

A winter storm advisory will be in place from 3 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Wednesday with 2 to 5 inches of snow expected in Cecil, Baltimore and Harford counties. The warning is in effect from 1 p.m. Tuesday until 7 a.m. Wednesday, complicating the evening and morning commutes.
Heavy snowfall rates are most likely at mid- or late afternoon, Tuesday, which could affect school and federal government operations both Tuesday and Wednesday, The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang said.

The National Weather Service urged residents to delay all travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility.
Precipitation is expected to start in the mid-late morning on Tuesday, an NWS forecast discussion said. The storm should start with snow and convert to sleet and freezing rain further south as temperatures rise throughout the day.

Read more at: Heavy Snow Approaches MD: Latest Storm Timeline