Montgomery County Public Schools Change Dec. 15 Schedule

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Montgomery County Public Schools will delay the start of classes by two hours on Thursday, Dec. 15, because of predicted freezing rain.

The alert from the school system says:

"Montgomery County Public Schools, including the MCPS Virtual Academy, will open two hours late Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, due to anticipated emergency weather conditions. Bus service will be provided on a two-hour-delayed schedule. Morning prekindergarten, morning half-day Head Start, and other morning half-day programs and field trips are canceled. Other activities and programs that begin at 10:50 a.m. or earlier are canceled. School and administrative offices will open on time. Childcare programs in school buildings may remain open as scheduled."

Freezing rain and possible slick roads are in the weather forecast, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a winter weather advisory until 1 p.m. Thursday. State officials are asking residents to stay home if travel becomes risky, and drivers should monitor for poor driving conditions for Thursday morning's commute.

Forecasters expect freezing rain accumulation ranging from a glaze to one-tenth inch. Most of the freezing rain should fall between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. Thursday.

In Maryland, the advisory applies to all or parts of Baltimore, Cecil, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties. The District of Columbia and several Northern Virginia counties are also under the advisory.

Freezing rain with total ice accumulations of a glaze to around one-tenth of an inch are expected. The highest ice amounts will be in the northern and western suburbs of Washington and Baltimore, the weather service said.

Related: Winter Storm Season Preparation Tips For Montgomery County