Weather causes more delays, closings
Brett DunlapPARKERSBURG - Local schools were either on delay or closed today because of the snowy weather, the first of a number of weather systems expected to hit the area this week.
As a front moved in overnight from the north, the region saw anywhere from a trace to an inch of snow accumulation, said John Sikora, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston.
Schools closed today include the Belpre Christian Academy, Belpre City Schools, Fort Frye Local, Frontier Local, Marietta City Schools and the Washington County Career Center.
Schools on a two-hour delay include Federal Hocking, Jackson County, Meigs County, Wood County, Pleasants County, Ritchie County, Tyler County, Wood County Christian School and Wirt County.
Area law-enforcement agencies did not report any major accidents this morning.
"It will be clearing out later today," Sikora said. "Then another front will be moving into the area (Tuesday)."
The weather service is reporting rain and snow showers likely before 3 p.m. Tuesday, then a chance of snow showers. There is a 70 percent chance of precipitation. It is expected to be cloudy, with a high near 40 with wind gusts as high as 29 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is expected.
"That front could start off with freezing rain then turning over into a wintery mix and then (the Parkersburg) area could see some snow on the tailend as it moves through," Sikora said.
Another front is expected to move into the area late Wednesday and into Thursday which is expected to bring in cold temperatures and the possibility for more snow.
"The lows will be in the single digits to the teens Thursday night and into Friday," Sikora said.
The weather service expects the low to reach 5 Thursday night with a high of 13 expected Friday. There is a 40-50 percent chance of precipitation Wednesday and Thursday. It is expected to be sunny again by Friday.
"Each of these systems has been a clipper system out of Canada," Sikora said. "They are fairly quick systems, but each one brings a shot of cold air into the area."
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notamyname
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01-15-09 9:32 AM
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Wildbill..I was told that the head of the bus garage and the state road check out the roads then report to the Superintendent of schools with there facts and the super has the final say.I think what some people forget is not all school age childern live in town , There are kids that have to wait at a bus stop or walk to school.
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wildbill
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01-13-09 9:28 AM
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I was once told by a source in a local bus garage that the insurance carrier for the buses had more say in when school is closed that anyone else. I can't verify it, but that's what I was told.
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opinionated1
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01-12-09 10:41 PM
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I really am not picking on you, but....I'd like to share my thoughts on the comment-- "No one has toughness any more" I want to believe that residents and BOE members of this community are "softies". Is sending the children off to school in less than ideal road conditions the kind of "toughness" that we really want? If ANY child lost their life due to poor road conditions, I would NEVER tell the parent that it was "tough luck". I want my children properly educated but I value their lives and do not want to imagine my life without one... or heaven forbid... all of them. I realize that the 1 or 2 hour delays throw the routines out the window and interfere with many parents work schedules... BUT PLEASE!!!-- don't push and pressure to get my babies to school(no matter what) because I'm not ready to let go forever. NOR do I want anyone go through the pain of loosing a child!
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WVPirate
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01-12-09 9:33 PM
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I realize that unlike my father I never had to walk to school in snow up to my chest, uphill, both ways but I so seem to recall that they would not call a snow day unless we got at least 4 inches of snow. I have to agree with Wildbill.
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jeff57
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01-12-09 7:39 PM
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Belmont... you just got burned
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notamyname
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01-12-09 5:50 PM
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Belmont....i live off of route 16 in St Marys, and the bus driver for my route usually has chains on, he takes them off before getting on the pike....and the roads out here were very icy this morning,,,,,
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bobzim
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01-12-09 3:51 PM
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Belmont.....School buses are exempt from the seatbelt law at this time.
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Belmont
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01-12-09 3:28 PM
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You do know that it is not the parents that decide whether to put school on a delay, right? And you know that there are no seat belts on school buses, right? You surely don't expect the bus drivers to learn how to put chains on thier tires do you? Or the BOE to put seat belts in the buses so that they comply with the same laws that apply when a parent drives thier kids to school?
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wildbill
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01-12-09 1:20 PM
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Weather? WHAT weather? I swear the people in this area are just like people in southern states, a dusting of snow and everything grinds to a halt.
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