A rough, unofficial estimate of snow day odds from the forecast, temperature, timing and how snowy your area usually is.
How this calculator arrives at its answer
Whether school closes depends on snowfall amount, when it falls, temperature, road conditions and how well equipped the district is — a town that rarely sees snow closes for two inches, while a northern district shrugs at eight.
This calculator combines those factors into a single percentage. It is a bit of fun rather than a forecast, and the only authority on whether school is open is your district.
How to use it
- Enter the forecast snowfall and temperature.
- Choose when the snow falls and how snowy your area usually is.
- Add ice and school type for the final estimate.
How the number is calculated
chance ≈ snowfall factor × temperature × timing × regional readiness × ice × school type
Try it with these numbers
On the values this calculator opens with, the snow day chance is 77%. Underneath, Snowfall factor comes out at 59% from 6 inches and Temperature factor at ×1 at 26°F. Change any field and every figure updates as you type.
Questions people ask about this
How accurate is this?
Not very — it is entertainment. Districts weigh road crews, bus routes and staff travel in ways no simple formula captures.
Why does timing matter so much?
Snow that falls overnight sits on roads before crews clear them and lands right in the decision window. Afternoon snow rarely closes school that day.
What if freezing rain is forecast?
Ice closes schools far more readily than snow, since even a thin glaze makes bus routes unsafe. The calculator raises the odds accordingly.