Wide Ranging Snow Accumulation and a Deep Freeze Tonight! ... and MORE SNOWBALLS!!!

SNOW UPDATE and MD SCHOOL STATUS SNOWBALL PREDICTION (for Tues. Jan. 4, 2022):  Good afternoon everyone!  I am sitting here at TSH (The Snowman Headquarters in Westminster, MD) looking out the window at grass (that is actually quite green looking for this time of the year).  Yes, grass.  No snow.  Besides a bit of snow during the early morning hours that briefly coated the trusty Tacoma and deck, that was about it for TSH.

Meanwhile, just a bit further south ... many MD locations easily hit a half a foot to almost a foot or more in some spots.  I have been doing this a long time and I can't remember the last time that has happened.  I know quite a few teachers are part of the snowman community.  You might have found yourself without snow, but the school district you commute to received quite a bit and was closed.  

I have heard from many of you regarding accumulation.  Some impressive numbers came in for some of the following locations.  You can see how just a little distance made a big difference in accumulation.

Damascus: 2.5"
Edgewater:  11"
Bowie: 9"
Wheaton: 6"
Olney: 4"
​Gaithersburg: 3.5"

The system has left the area but now we are left with another concern ... a deep freeze.  Temperatures are expected to plummet this evening.  Anything that is currently wet and untreated will no doubt freeze.  Take a look at this low temperature forecast graphic from the NWS.

Because of the expected drop in temperature and the possibility of a hard freeze ... I think a few snowballs might be necessary for the reporting areas impacted (MCPS and HCPSS, unfortunately no snowballs for CCPS or FCPS 🙁).  Hmm ... Let's go with 3!!!  A delay will probably be likely, but don't be surprised if they decide to close depending on the severity of the untreated surfaces.
Here come 3 SNOWBALLS your way!!! 

#MARYLAND SCHOOL STATUS DELAY/CLOSURE SNOWBALL SCALE
1 Snowball = Slight chance of a delay, but most likely opening on time.
2 Snowballs = 50% chance of a delay and ever so slight chance of a closing.
3 Snowballs = It could go either way. Probably at least a delay, but a closure isn't off the table either.
4 Snowballs = A delay is pretty much inevitable. There is also a 60% chance of a closure.
5 Snowballs = Guaranteed delay. You can also party, because schools will almost certainly be closed.
(*School Status Predictions are for #FCPS, #CCPS, #MCPS, #HCPSS and surrounding counties)

The SUEAS (Snow Update Email Alert System) is growing almost too fast to keep up with.  I believe the list is fully up to date as of this afternoon.  Welcome to all the new members of The Snowman Community! :). Simply enter your email address in the "NOTIFY" box at the top of the page.
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Stay tuned and #followthesnowman ☃️

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