General Prediction Info

Local county responses are based off of a variety of data sources and compiled and considered before posting. The Department of Transportation's information regarding road conditions is key, as is an understanding of how county decision making works. The county stays in contact with VDOT, as well as local sources (Police chiefs, fire departments, etc.) They, as well, have a series of people driving around and investigating road conditions.

Henrico County is the central prediction location because it is where both of us are from. Hanover is to the north, Goochland to the west, Richmond City to the east, and Chesterfield to the South. This large area of land makes predicting a bit tricky, however there are a few things that can be assumed about these areas. Generally, Henrico, Chesterfield, and Richmond City make similar if not the same decisions regarding school closure if they have all received the same amount of snow. Goochland and Hanover are much more rural than the others. Often, their road conditions are worse because of the rural roads their counties contain. These two are the hardest to predict because we know the least about them and how their roads are simply because we don't personally drive on them.

Private schools are an entirely different ballgame. Many private schools in the Richmond area cater to students in all of these localities but their decision making process is far different. They, unlike the counties, have only ONE school to worry about. This means on site clean-up (parking lot/sidewalk treatment) is by far easier. However, they must also consider all road conditions as to how safe it is for students to get to school. We will do our best to predict the general private school response, but are unable to identify individual school response simply because we don't know and we'd just be guessing.