WDVM-TV Latest School Closings and Delays

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When severe weather strikes the Mid-Atlantic, residents in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia turn to WDVM-TV, now widely known as DC News Now, for the latest school closings and delays.

As a key independent news source serving Hagerstown and the greater Washington D.C. area, the station provides critical updates to ensure student and commuter safety.

Current School Closings and Delays Status

How to Access the Latest Closings

Because weather conditions can change rapidly, DC News Now offers several ways to track school status:

The Official Closings Page: The station maintains a real-time searchable database at DCNewsNow.com. This list includes not just public schools, but also private academies, daycare centers, and government offices.
On-Air Broadcasts: Watch the scrolling ticker at the bottom of the screen during “DC News Now in the Morning.” Closings are typically listed alphabetically by state and county.
Mobile Alerts: By downloading the DC News Now app, you can set personalized weather alerts that notify you immediately when your local district makes an announcement.

Understanding Different Alert Codes

In our region, “Closed” doesn’t always mean the same thing for everyone. Districts often use specific codes to communicate expectations for staff and virtual learning:

Traditional Snow Day: Schools are closed, and there is no virtual instruction. These days are usually made up at the end of the school year.
Instructional Continuity / Virtual Learning: School buildings are closed, but students are expected to log on for remote classes.
Code Red (Staff): Typically means the district is closed for all students and all non-essential employees. No one is expected to report to the building.
2-Hour Delay: All bus pick-up times and school start times are pushed back by 120 minutes. Morning pre-K and half-day programs are usually canceled in this scenario.

Why Decisions are Made

Superintendents in Washington and Frederick counties often face a unique challenge: balancing the relatively clear roads in town centers with the icy, unplowed mountain passes in rural areas. DC News Now meteorologists work closely with local officials to provide ground-level data on “black ice” and freezing fog, which are common culprits for early morning delays in the Hagerstown and Frederick regions.

Get the latest school closings, cancellations, and delays. View school closures for Maryland from WDVM-TV. Local news and weather, serving Maryland, Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC.