Estimate your chance of a snow day tomorrow from the live forecast for your ZIP code, or enter expected snow, ice and your state.

The live forecast comes from the National Weather Service for your ZIP code. Enter your own forecast for a what-if or if you live outside the US.

Your ZIP code is sent to Zippopotam.us to find its location, and that location to the National Weather Service for the forecast.

School details
Rural districts with long bus routes close more often. City districts, private schools and colleges close less often.

Districts that have used many snow days close less readily. Blank counts as 0.

Typical uses the usual amount for your state or ZIP area, based on the snow day map on this page. Pick an amount if your schools close for more or less.

Snow Day Map

This map shows a breakdown of how much snow it takes to cancel school in any given area. It’s broken down individually by county.

snow day chances

How to calculate the chances of having a snow day?

The chance of school being canceled by snow is a complex question to ask. There are several factors that go into this equation.

  1. The amount of snowfall is the number one driving factor. The more snow falls, the greater the chance of a snow day.
  2. The next factor is how ready your area or state is to deal with snow. The more northern a state is located, the more often they will see snow. In turn, this leads to northern states being more prepared for snow and vice versa for southern states.
  3. Another factor that determines your chance of a snow day is whether the snowstorm is bringing any ice along with it. Ice is extremely difficult to deal with on roads. In turn, if a storm brings ice, the chances of a snow day go way up.
  4. One last factor that will affect your chance of a snow day is the predicted temperature the following day of the storm. Sometimes you can have a huge snowstorm, but the temperature warms up. This will cause the snow to melt and make it easier to drive on.

Will I have a snow day?

Your chances of having a snow day are mostly dependent on where you live. This is because states that see a lot of snow are more prepared to deal with it. For instance, in a state like Maine, it may take up to 12″ or more just to cancel schools. They see big snowstorms every year and are prepared with trucks and salt to keep the roadways clear. 

A state like South Carolina is the opposite. They rarely see snow, and as a result, they have barely any equipment to deal with it. When they see even an inch of snow it can shut down highways completely. This means that even a trace amount of snow will cancel schools. 

This calculator compares the forecast snow, ice and wind chill with the amount that usually closes schools in your state or ZIP area, then adjusts for timing, temperature, wind, school type and snow days already used. Closing amounts still vary from county to county, so choose your own under School details if your district closes for more or less.

For example, in New Jersey, the northern end of the state sees anywhere from 2 to 3 times more snow than the very southern part of the state. Because of this, Northern New Jersey is much more prepared for snow, and it may take anywhere close to 8″ to cancel schools while it may only take 3-4″ in southern New Jersey to cancel schools. The same goes for eastern and western PA. 

snow day calculator