Grand Rapids Snow Day Predictor: Will Grand Rapids Schools Close Tomorrow?
Grand Rapids is about 30 miles inland from Lake Michigan, close enough to get regular lake-effect snow when cold air blows across the lake.
Lake-effect bands are narrow, so one Kent County district can get a foot while another gets a dusting, and closures often vary district by district.
Forecast data may be out of date. We're working on it; check your local forecast too.
Grand Rapids snow day chances
Grand Rapids, MI
Friday
Unlikely
<1%
chance of a snow day
<1% chance of a delay
Monday
Unlikely
<1%
chance of a snow day
<1% chance of a delay
Overnight snow 0.0"Usually closes at 7"
- No meaningful snow or ice in the forecast for Friday morning.
- Grand Rapids usually needs about 7" to close schools (normal snowfall 74" a year).
Did your school decide for Friday? Tap to report:
Estimate, not official. Check your school district for the final decision.
Updated . Not in Grand Rapids? Enter your own ZIP code above.
How much snow closes school in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids gets about 74" of snow in a normal year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, averaged from 6 nearby stations including E Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Lowell). Based on that, our model treats about 7" of overnight snow as the point where a closure becomes a coin flip. Less than half of that rarely closes schools here; one and a half times that usually does.
Grand RapidsOther placesModel estimate from NOAA normal snowfall
Grand Rapids average snowfall by month
Winter weather alerts and forecaster notes for Grand Rapids
No winter storm, ice or cold alerts from the National Weather Service are in effect for Grand Rapids right now.
NWS Grand Rapids MI · Key Messages
- Showers lingering into the evening along and south of I-96
- Lake-effect rain and snow showers along the immediate lakeshore mainly north of Pentwater
- Quiet and mild weather early next week
Excerpt from the National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI Area Forecast Discussion, issued Nov 12, 2:00 PM EST. Read the full discussion.
Grand Rapids 7-day snow forecast
No snow in the 7-day forecast for Grand Rapids right now.
Grand Rapids's biggest snow days last winter (2025–26)
Daily snowfall7" or moreSource: NOAA GHCN-Daily
In the 2025–26 winter, NOAA's Grand Rapids station (12 km from Grand Rapids) recorded75.4" of snow. Its biggest single-day totals:
| Date | Snowfall |
|---|---|
| Tue, Jan 27, 2026 | 7.3" |
| Mon, Jan 19, 2026 | 5.1" |
| Sat, Nov 29, 2025 | 4.3" |
| Sun, Nov 30, 2025 | 4" |
| Thu, Jan 22, 2026 | 3.7" |
Source: NOAA GHCN-Daily, station USW00094860.
Grand Rapids school districts: where closings are announced
These districts make the official call for schools around Grand Rapids. Their websites post closings and delays first:
Snow day chances near Grand Rapids
| Place | Distance | Friday | Usually closes at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming, MI | 6 mi | <1% | 7" |
| Walker, MI | 6 mi | <1% | 7" |
| Kentwood, MI | 6 mi | <1% | 7" |
| Plainfield Township, MI | 8 mi | <1% | 7" |
| Cascade Township, MI | 9 mi | <1% | 7" |
| Georgetown Township, MI | 10 mi | <1% | 7" |
| Byron Township, MI | 11 mi | <1% | 7" |
| Gaines Township, MI | 11 mi | <1% | 7" |
Snow day pages for other cities
Grand Rapids snow day FAQ
Will Grand Rapids schools close tomorrow?
Our current estimate for Grand Rapids is <1% for a snow day and <1% for a delay on Friday, and <1% for a snow day on Monday. No meaningful snow or ice in the forecast for Friday morning. This is an estimate, not an announcement: check your district for the official decision.
How much snow does it take to close schools in Grand Rapids?
Based on Grand Rapids's normal snowfall of about 74 inches a year, our model puts the closing point at about 7" of snow falling overnight. Ice, heavy wet snow, timing during the morning commute and active winter storm warnings can lower that.
How much snow did Grand Rapids get last winter?
NOAA's Grand Rapids station recorded 75.4 inches in the 2025–26 winter. The biggest single day was Jan 27, 2026 with 7.3 inches.
Where do Grand Rapids schools announce snow days?
Each district posts closings and delays on its own website and alert system: Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kentwood Public Schools, Forest Hills Public Schools. Local TV stations also carry closing lists.