About HoCo Weather Channel
HoCo Weather Channel is a student-led weather service translating complex meteorological information into clear local forecasts, school operation predictions, and weather literacy resources for Maryland students, families, and staff.
Our mission
Inform
Give students and families timely forecasts focused on the conditions that affect school and travel.
Explain
Translate weather data and uncertainty into language people can quickly understand.
Teach
Help students read trusted sources, question decisions, evaluate evidence, and make informed predictions of their own.
How it started
David Liu conceptualized HoCo Weather Channel in December 2024. The project launched in November 2025 after Maryland school districts remained open despite icy roads that sent school buses sliding.
That moment revealed a disconnect between available weather information and the decisions affecting students, families, and staff. HoCo Weather Channel was built to bridge that gap by translating meteorological information into digestible forecasts and school operation predictions.
The format changed as students became part of the process. School-operation forecasts gave them a reason to examine snowfall totals, ice accretion, timing, and uncertainty. Polls then invited students to research the conditions and make nearly 10,000 predictions of their own.
The goal is to help a community gain the confidence to understand the evidence and make informed decisions for itself.
Student leadership
Students bring forecasting, communication, and visual storytelling together in one community weather service.
Founder
Marriotts Ridge High School · Class of 2027
Leads forecasting, school operation predictions, weather literacy, partnerships, and the overall direction of HoCo Weather Channel. His work brings together environmental science, data, communication, and public service.
Co-founder
Reservoir High School · Class of 2030
Supports the continued development of the channel and its student-centered weather communication work.
Contributing photographer
Marriotts Ridge High School · Class of 2029
Documents local weather and seasonal conditions through photography used across HoCo Weather Channel.
Our history
2024
The idea for a student-led local weather and school operations service began in December.
2025
The channel launched in November with local forecasting and school operation predictions.
2026
Nearly 10,000 student poll predictions turned weather updates into active learning, and an HCPSS partnership expanded the work into district weather literacy.
Our audience
80,000+
Students, staff, and parents served through the HCPSS community.
Nearly 10K
Student weather and school-operation predictions submitted through polls.
2M+
Views, with more than 700,000 accounts reached across platforms.
Expanding this winter
The next phase will create more ways for students to contribute to local weather reporting and education.
Ask about joining the teamReview official weather data and help prepare clear local forecasts.
Share verified conditions and weather impacts from schools across the county.
Document local weather and help tell visual stories safely and responsibly.
Turn trusted sources into guides that help other students understand the forecast.
Create clear graphics and help distribute timely updates across platforms.
Explore the partnerships helping this student-led work reach more people.