Snow Day FAQ
Quick answers about snow days, delays and how our snow day calculator works. To see your own odds, enter your ZIP code on the calculator.
What is the chance of a snow day tomorrow?
Enter your ZIP code or town on the Snow Day Estimator homepage. You get a percentage chance of a snow day and of a delay for each of the next two school days, with the reasons behind it, from the latest National Weather Service forecast.
How does a snow day calculator work?
Ours adds up the snow and ice forecast for the night before school (8 pm to 9 am), compares it with how much snow it usually takes to close schools in your town, and adjusts for winter storm and ice storm warnings and, in the upper Midwest, extreme wind chill.
How accurate is the snow day calculator?
It is only as good as the snow forecast and the closing point we estimate for your town. This is our first season, so we do not claim an accuracy rate yet; we publish an accuracy record on the How it works page as closure reports come in.
How many inches of snow does it take to close school?
It depends on where you live. Places that rarely see snow, like Atlanta or Dallas, can close for about an inch. Washington, DC and Philadelphia often close for 2 to 3 inches. Chicago, Boston and Denver usually need 5 to 6 inches, and lake-effect cities like Buffalo and Syracuse closer to 8 inches or more.
What time do schools announce snow days?
Many districts decide between about 4:30 and 6 am, after crews check the roads, and some announce the night before when a big storm is certain. Check your district website, app or text alerts.
Why does it show Monday on a Friday?
The calculator always shows the next two school days. It skips weekends, federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving.
What is the difference between a snow day and a 2-hour delay?
On a snow day school is closed. On a 2-hour delay school opens later so roads can be cleared and buses can run in daylight. The calculator estimates both separately.
What is an e-learning day?
Some districts switch to online learning instead of closing. If your district does this, a high snow day chance may mean a remote day rather than a day off.
Does cold weather cause snow days?
Yes, in the upper Midwest. Districts in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin close when morning wind chills reach the −30s °F or colder. The calculator checks morning wind chill separately there.
Can ice close school when there is no snow?
Yes. A tenth of an inch of freezing rain makes roads and sidewalks dangerous, so ice storms close schools even in places that handle snow well.
What does "nearest town" mean on my result?
We calculate the forecast for about 3,250 towns. When you enter a ZIP code we use the closest one and tell you how far away it is.
What does the report button do?
After your district decides, tap Closed, Delayed, Open or E-learning. We store only the town, the date and your answer, and show the totals for your area. No names, emails or accounts.
Is Snow Day Estimator official?
No. It is an independent estimate made from public weather data. Only your school district can close school.