Schools wrestle with closings, delays as winter weather hits DMV

BETHESDA, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - Conditions have improved throughout the DMV in the wake of a midweek storm that caused school delays and closures throughout the region.

The Maryland Department of Transportation says crews treated roads all day on Friday, preparing and monitoring conditions for the busy rush-hour commute - with some 1,700 plows and other pieces of equipment on the road.

Although roads appeared clearer by late afternoon, the morning was a different story.

Schools in Montgomery and Prince George's counties haven't had a full day of school all week. And on Friday, Montgomery County dismissed students two and a half hours early, and canceled all after-school activities.

Parents were notified of the change around 10 a.m. but not everyone was understanding or happy about the decision.

School officials say they consider many factors before dismissing, delaying, or canceling school.

On Thursday, school officials were concerned about kids being out in sub-zero temperatures.

But on Friday, the snow wasn't expected to pick up until later in the morning, which is why Montgomery County school officials say a delay wasn't an option. But as the snow picked up, they decided to dismiss class early.

"We know it's a difficult experience to have schools closed early, start later or have close… but in the end we are thinking about the safety of the community's children and that has to be the priority in every decision we make," said Montgomery County Schools Public Information Officer Derek Turner.

In Fairfax County, school officials didn't want to take any chances.

Officials originally planned to delay school by two hours, but as conditions worsened, they decided it was best to keep students home for the day.

"This morning's decision was really rather complex," said Assistant Superintendent for Facilities and Transportation Services Jeff Platenberg said. "In our conversations with the NWS staff, they were very helpful in letting understand the timing and what was actually going to happen - the unfortunate incident, when we did a precautionary out of abundance of caution to delay school two hours, we knew we had to reevaluate in the morning and that's in fact what we did."

Officials are urging drivers to remain cautious while out on the road, and to take it slow.

MDOT says they are concerned about some roads re-freezing Friday night.