Snowflakes for Day Breaks
Impatiently waiting for a phone call or email from the school, while the threat of mother nature is on the horizon, is something far too many of us find ourselves doing during the snowy seasons. We can try and strengthen our snowy fantasies with the Snow Day Calculator or by asking Mr.Heirs in the horticulture department but what actually determines a snow day and how do these predictions come to be?
“I look at the NOAA(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) cite,” Superintendent Mary Beth Banios said when talking about how she gathers information regarding snow days or delays. The government run NOAA cite provides anyone with very detailed and accurate weather predictions that allow for easy decisions in the case.
Understanding and seeing the weather is one thing, but knowing and evaluating the safety of the commute to school is another. In order to make that call, Banios communicates with the road crews that plow and sand the areas surrounding Woodstock.
“The road crews may not have enough time to clear it out,” Banios said. The smallest storm could delay or cause a school cancellation depending upon whether the road crews feel that they can clear the roads in time for school. Banios makes a decision based on their input.
Although Banios is the one who makes the ultimate call, there is another staff member who has an impressive track record for predicting snow days.
“At 4:30am I look at NECN(New England Cable News),” Horticulture teacher John Hiers said about part of his technique for predicting upcoming snow days. This news site allows him to analyze the forecast and, on some days, what other school districts have closings.
“The Green Mountain spine plays a lot into our climate,” Hiers said. The weather forecasts that he is provided with are not cut and dry. He takes into consideration what and where the storm is and how the Green Mountains will alter or affect the actual outcome. Even with enough experience and knowledge there is no perfect way to make any predictions. In his 32 year career, Hiers admits to being wrong, “...three to five times.”
The winter season in the Green Mountains comes with unpredictable and extreme weather. Stay tuned and contact Hiers to fulfill or destroy your hopes of a snow day.