DELAY/CLOSURE SNOWBALL SCALE - (In school, hybrid and virtual learning edition)

1 Snowball = Slight chance of a delay for in school students/virtual learning cancelled, but most likely a “normal” day for all.
2 Snowballs = 50% chance of a delay for in school students and an ever so slight chance of a closing for in school students/virtual learning students.
3 Snowballs = It could go either way. Probably at least a delay for in school students, but a closure isn't off the table either.  50/50 chance virtual learning is either canceled or continues as “normal.”
4 Snowballs = A delay is pretty much inevitable for in school students and there is also a 60% chance of a closure.  Odds of virtual instruction being canceled are high.
5 Snowballs = Most likely a SNOW DAY!!!  All in school and virtual instruction will more than likely be canceled!  PARTY!!!


(*School Status Predictions are for #FCPS, #CCPS, #MCPS, #HCPS and surrounding counties)

Good afternoon everyone!  By now you should be seeing snow begin to bury much of the state.  Here at TSH (The Snowman Headquarters in Westminster, MD) we have about 3-4 inches of snow.  It has been snowing quite heavily since 10:00AM this morning.  The snow is very fine.  

​CCC (Closing Consulting Christie) and I have an announcement!  We are going to attempt to bring back THE SNOWBALLS!!!  Many counties, both virtual and hybrid, have announced they will have some type of winter weather related closures depending severity.  While it will be challenging ... we are up for the task and are ready to have fun with it.

The official snowball chart remains relatively unchanged for students meeting for in person instruction, but language has been added for virtual instruction.  Bear with CCC and I as we take on this new challenge!  We may fine-tune some things along the way.  Stay tuned as we will be throwing our first snowball for tomorrow effective immediately!

​(*School Status Predictions are for #FCPS, #CCPS, #MCPS, #HCPS and surrounding counties)

SNOW UPDATE ❄️:  Winter storm warnings 🚨 blanket the state!  Dust off your shovels, gas up your snowblowers, hook up your plows, get out your sleds ... there's a snow storm knocking at our door.

WHAT:  Very heavy snow expected. (widespread 8-12 inches with pockets of snow possibly pushing 20" plus) 
WHEN:  3AM Sunday --> 5 AM Tuesday
IMPACTS:  Travel could be very difficult to impossible at times
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:  Snow will overspread the area from west to east Sunday morning, reaching the far eastern areas early Sunday afternoon.  The snow will continue through Monday into early Tuesday morning.

Share your snow pics when you get'em --> thesnowmanmdweather@gmail.com
I may feature some on the page.

I'm excited! 😁  Who's with me?

Stay tuned and #followthesnowman ⛄️

SNOW UPDATE ❄️:  Okay.  Computer models have exploded in the upwards direction overnight.  I'm ready to hop on board the snow train now 🚂❄️.  The models are showing anywhere from 10" inches on the low end to 28" inches on the high end.  Where will we land?  Tough to say exactly, but I am now increasing my thoughts from a widespread 4-8" inches of snow to a .... drum roll please 🥁 .... 10-20" + inches!  😯

Don't forget ... this system is two parts.  It is looking like both will be competing with each other to see which one can drop the most snow.  Will it be round 1, round 2?  Place your bets. 😁💵.    Odds are increasing that this one storm alone could put most of MD at its average seasonal snowfall totals. 😍❄️. Nearly all of MD should see snow ... the further north you go in the state ... the more and more you will likely see.

We have so many new members joining our snowman community (and the SUEAS "Snowman Update Emergency Alert System")!  Welcome to all of you!  Great to have you with us.  For those new to "The Snowman" ... the forecasting area is predominantly Carroll, Montgomery, Frederick and Howard Counties in our state, but an attempt is made to address all of MD when possible.

Have a great Saturday and get excited (it's okay now, I think).  It's almost here.

P.S. Check out the GEM weather model below!  WOAH!  lol

Stay tuned and #followthesnowman ⛄️

Prints available here:  The Haunted House - Ocean City, MD (#186) 

SNOW UPDATE ❄️: Information is coming in from all directions now. 😁. Trying to make sense of it all is a blast! Models are in agreement that we should definitely see snow, but, not surprisingly, they all seem to have their own idea of how much.

There are some crazy possible accumulation numbers flying around ... all the way up to 20+ inches of snow for parts of our state 😯. While you all know I ESPECIALLY would LOVE to see that (and I know many of you would also) ... it would probably be prudent of us to hold off just a little bit before we board that train. 🚂❄️. To be on the safe side.

I remain highly confident with us seeing the widespread 4-8"+ of snow across the state that we discussed this morning! If you are a snow lover ... you might be interested in knowing that the odds of seeing more than that (perhaps a lot more? 🤔) sre now on the table. Winter storm watches are now in place across the state ... winter storm warnings should start to roll in within the next 24 hours.

Nothing quite like the anticipation of a good snow storm. Makes me feel like a kid again. That feeling never gets old. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I will no doubt be in touch again soon! 😉

Stay tuned and ​#followthesnowman ⛄️

SNOW UPDATE ❄️:  Good morning everyone!  TGIF!  I think I have consumed enough of my morning coffee to proceed with writing this update. 😁☕️   As predicted ... many first calls for accumulation are showing up this morning.  I have seen up to a foot on the high end and down to around 3 inches on the low end.  There has been some fluctuation in the models ... some agreement, disagreement and agreement again.  The confidence level remains high for this system (much of MD will likely get snow) ... the uncertainty is still the amount.  Much of this uncertainty comes from what the second part of the system will do.  The sequel is heavily dependent on round 1.  

From the data I have right now, my thoughts are a widespread 4-8+ inches of snow starting around the early morning hours of Sunday morning (perhaps between 6:30 and 8:30ishAM) and stretching through Tuesday morning.   We still need to watch what might happen during the day on Monday.  As the general rule for our state, the further north you are located, the greater your chances of snow and the more accumulation you stand to see.  For this system however, the south might see more than usual ... time tells all and it does it well. 🕰

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend.  I will chime back in when there is enough new information to bother you again. 😀✌️

Stay tuned and #followthesnowman ⛄️

First weather outlet I have seen (Accuweather) making some accumulation calls ... 6-12 inches of snow. 😯👍
Click the picture to link to the article.

SNOW UPDATE ❄️:  Yup.  That potential 2 part storm coming Sunday ... she's still looking good!  As of right now it is looking like snow beginning Sunday morning and possibly continuing all the way through until Tuesday morning. 😯  

The overnight low temperatures are expected to be well below freezing during the duration of the Part 1 and its "sequel."  What is unknown is the potential for mixing as fluctuations in pressure might warm things up a bit during the day.  More data should come in within the next day or two to give us an idea of possible accumulation numbers for our great state.

I always look forward to when we can start talking about accumulation numbers (my favorite part ... lol).  Here's to hoping I'll be able to include that in the next update! 😉🤞❄️  The early  models are showing some impressive possibilities, but it is too soon to know "for sure."  The "SUEAS" (Snowman Update Email Alert System) seems to be working well ... I haven't received any feedback to the contrary.  Excellent!  😁👍  The new signups keep rolling in.  Thank you for your patience as I keep the "rather large 😳" mailing list updated.
​
In other news ... it sure is a windy day across the state.  The walls of TSH (The Snowman Headquarters in Westminster, MD) are creakin' and a crackin'. but it is nice to see the sun shine. ☀️😎  

Stay tuned and #followthesnowman ⛄️

SNOW UPDATE ❄️:  Could it be?  Another "significant" snowstorm headed our way?  At the moment ... computer models are pretty much in agreement with a big "YES!"  It's only Wednesday, but for some reason ... I have a good feeling about this one ... a higher confidence level than usual.  🤔🤞

At the moment, it appears to be a "two part system."  We have had success in MD with two part systems.  Will this be a jackpot? 

Stay tuned and #followthesnowman ⛄️

SNOW/ICE UPDATE ❄️:  Much of the southern/central part of the state has begun to see frozen precipitation.  Snowman Community weather watchers in Frederick are reporting heavy sleet, snow in Gaithersburg and nothing yet in Mount Airy.  Nothing observed at TSH (The Snowman Headquarters in Westminster, MD) as of yet.  What are you seeing out your window? Try out the new comment section below ... if you would like and share your observations.  Stay safe and be careful if you are out on the roads.  

Stay tuned and #followthesnowman ⛄️ ... The "SUEAS" (Snowman Update Email Alert System) is growing rapidly.  Bear with me while I work to keep it updated ... but feedback from you says that it seems to be working.