Baltimore City and multiple counties announced public schools are closing Monday as forecasters predict a large winter storm will bring at least 6 inches of snowfall to the region starting Sunday night. Many local kids could have up to three days to play. Beyond that, several area school systems will pivot to virtual learning, which will count toward the minimum required days of instruction under state law (and prevent those pesky makeup days from being added at the end of the year).

Here’s what you need to know about local school system closures, delays and more.

Baltimore City Public Schools

Starting the night before school is set to start, staff will check road conditions, sidewalks, school parking lots and walkways, and speak with officials from the Baltimore City Department of Transportation and the Maryland Transit Administration. Ultimately, the decision is up to schools CEO Sonja Santelises on whether to open as usual, delay opening for two hours or close. Baltimore City announced Sunday that all city schools will be closed Monday.

The school system aims to announce full-day closings and delays as close to 5 a.m. the day of as possible, or earlier if conditions permit. Parents should keep an eye out for text messages, robocalls and emails announcing closures.

When schools close because of weather, students don’t receive virtual learning on the first three days per school year. That means three traditional “snow days,” which are made up in June. For the fourth day and beyond, though, students should expect to put sleds away and get out the laptops: Virtual school is in session.

Baltimore County Public Schools

Like students in Baltimore City Schools, Baltimore County kids get three regular snow days before the system pivots to a virtual learning format. On days when virtual learning is in place, schools run on a two-hour-delay schedule. Baltimore County announced Sunday that schools will be closed Monday.

As early as 2:30 a.m. the morning of an inclement weather event, school officials will listen to staff reports on the conditions of roads and bus stops across the county, along with information from the Maryland State Police and Baltimore County highway department. They’ll consider the safety of walking paths and school driveways, particularly in the parts of the county hardest hit by the weather.

The decision to stay open or close rests with Superintendent Myriam Rogers, who will announce by 5:30 a.m. to the county’s 111,000 students.

Parents can look for information about school closings on radio, TV or websites such as The Banner’s. They can also call 443-809-5555 or check the school system’s website.

Howard County Public Schools

Starting at 2:45 a.m., Jahantab Siddiqui, Howard County’s director of student transportation, will take a look at temperatures across the county and forecasts from the AccuWeather Winter Storm Service. School officials will contact Maryland state and Howard County roads departments to find out the status of local roadways and time frames for treating road surfaces. Howard County announced Sunday that schools will be closed Monday.

At 4:30 a.m., Siddiqui arrives at the transportation office for the Howard County Public School System and contacts local and state police for their take on road conditions. From there, he’ll determine whether the Snow Emergency Plan goes into effect. School staff members get contacted about their plan of action to treat school driveways and parking lots. The schools Superintendent then makes a decision to open on time, two hours late or to close schools for the day.

In case of delays, staff will revisit conditions at 5:30 a.m. and may decide to close schools for the day. If they do close, officials will announce that by 7:30 a.m.

Parents can get information at the HCPSS status website, homepage, by calling the information hotline at 410-313-6666 or by signing up for email and text message alerts.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Like other local school systems, Anne Arundel County Public Schools has three inclement weather days built into the calendar. Should schools close for snow this week, Anne Arundel County kids have three days before they will need to pull out their computers. Anne Arundel County announced Sunday that schools will be closed Monday.

Officials may decide the evening before to close schools the following day. If not, they’ll be out in the county first thing the morning after an inclement weather event. Parents and staff are notified right away by email or by phone starting at 5:30 a.m.

Carroll County Public Schools

Superintendent Cynthia McCabe will make the decision on whether to close schools or open them, considering mostly the safety of students riding school buses. Carroll County public schools are on winter break and return Tuesday.

The day of a storm, school officials go out at 3 a.m. to check area roads to determine whether they’ll be safe. They’ll consider conditions across the whole county, how much snow and ice have accumulated and how long it will take crews to clear the roads.

As early as possible but no later than 6 a.m., McCabe will decide whether to delay or close schools for the day and communicate that to parents through the SchoolMessenger notification system.

Harford County Schools

Should schools close for weather, Superintendent Sean W. Bulson will communicate a decision to close by 5 a.m. the day of, after consulting state police, the sheriff’s office, school transportation officials and the state and county highway departments. Harford County announced Sunday that schools will be closed Monday.

Closures are announced through the school’s telephone notification system, via email and text message, and posted to social media.

Correction: The article has been updated to clarify who makes the decision to close Howard County Public Schools.