Last week another winter storm blew through the Ark-La-Tex.
Many school districts from DeQueen, Arkansas to DeSoto, Louisiana canceled classes anticipating treacherous road conditions. Highways and overpasses were closed and many businesses decided not to open.
For those North of Interstate 20, the predictions of snow and ice came true. For those South of Interstate 20, for the most part, didn't materialize.
Many residents were upset about that. Why would they close schools and the roads when it turns out there was really no need to?
Here's how it works! During a weather event like this, the National Weather Service holds conference calls. On the calls, representatives of the area school districts, police departments, city governments, state police and the highway departments, etc.
The National Weather Service explains what they believe will happen and then the various officials make their decisions based on that information.
Even with all the latest equipment, it is a fact that weather forecasting is not an exact science. Our local officials have to make their decisions ahead of time, not after the fact. In this latest weather event they made the right call. I'm James Smith
Viewer Comment:
Thank you so much for your 2/14/11 editorial regarding the closing of schools, roads and businesses last week in anticipation of treacherous road conditions! Many, many people were so rude and ugly about the situation, particularly schools being closed for apparently no reason at all.
The weather forecasters made their predictions as best they could based on the data they had available. People have to realize that, as you said, it is not a perfect science.
I applauded the decisions made to keep people off of highways as much as possible.
Again, thanks for explaining to the general public what occurs in such situations.
Valinda Rester
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