DMV
Published February 2, 2026 at 12:53PM
Crews working to clear Muddy Branch Rd. in Gaithersburg on Sunday, courtesy Morgan Duffy
Montgomery County Public Schools remained closed Monday, February 2, citing ongoing safety concerns tied to snow and ice removal following last week’s winter weather. MCPS said cleanup has been slow, noting that Monday marks the first day temperatures are expected to rise above freezing after nine consecutive days below that mark.
On its website, the district said crews have worked throughout the past week and facilities are ready to reopen, but travel conditions remain a major concern. Many streets and sidewalks are still not passable for buses or safe for student walkers. Post-plowing snow piles are creating visibility issues for buses and blocking access to turn lanes, while several major roadways remain narrowed by snow, complicating travel during peak hours.
Temperatures are expected to climb above freezing for a few hours this afternoon, which should aid continued cleanup efforts. MCPS shared that county crews have been focusing on neighborhood streets and secondary roads that remain too narrow and icy for safe bus travel. The district emphasized that while some streets may be barely passable for cars, school buses require significantly more clearance.
Pencil Prediction for Tuesday, Feb. 3rd: Two Pencils ✏️✏️
On Sunday, MCPS shared that its goal is to reopen schools on Tuesday, while asking for community assistance in clearing cars from streets and sidewalks to speed up plowing and make routes safer. Given that guidance, I expect school to resume in some capacity Tuesday, though conditions will likely still be far from perfect.
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