Snow Day Chances by State
Snow day chances vary widely across the United States. Some states regularly experience heavy snow, while others are more affected by ice, freezing rain, mountain snowfall, or occasional winter storms.
Choose your state below to view its snow day calculator or detailed snowfall guide and learn how local winter conditions can affect school schedules.
Select a state from the regional cards below.
Use the calculator or read the state’s detailed snow guide.
Compare the estimate with forecasts and official school announcements.
Northeast
Coastal storms, nor’easters, lake-effect snow and cold inland winters make snow days common across much of the Northeast.
Cold winters and frequent snowfall across much of the state.
Snowy winters with significant mountain and inland snowfall.
Frequent winter snow, especially across higher terrain.
Nor’easters and winter storms can produce widespread disruption.
Coastal winter storms bring snow, sleet and mixed precipitation.
Regular winter storms with snow and icy travel conditions.
Lake-effect snow and major winter storms affect many regions.
Mid-Atlantic
Snow, ice, freezing rain and rapidly changing temperatures often influence school closures across the Mid-Atlantic.
Winter storms can bring snow, sleet and icy roads.
Snowfall varies between western, central and eastern areas.
Mixed winter storms can create hazardous school travel conditions.
Snow and ice impacts vary from mountains to the coast.
Mountain elevation increases winter snow and icy road risks.
Snow is less frequent, but ice and winter storms can cause closures.
Southern and Southeastern States
Heavy snow is less common, but even small amounts of snow, freezing rain or ice can cause major school and road disruptions.
Mountain snow and Piedmont ice can affect school schedules.
Rare snow and freezing rain can still cause major disruption.
Ice and occasional winter storms are often more important than snow.
Snow is extremely rare, with very limited winter-weather closures.
Occasional ice or rare snow can disrupt schools and roads.
Rare winter events can create significant travel problems.
Snow and ice can disrupt schools, especially across higher terrain.
Winter storms frequently include snow, ice and freezing temperatures.
Snow is rare, but freezing rain and ice can cause disruptions.
Winter storms may bring snow, sleet and significant icing.
Snow, sleet and ice occasionally disrupt schools and travel.
Winter-weather risk varies greatly across the large state.
Midwest and Great Lakes
Lake-effect snow, Alberta clippers, strong winds and prolonged cold create frequent winter-weather disruptions.
Northern areas can see significant lake-effect snow.
Great Lakes influence produces frequent and sometimes heavy snowfall.
Northern Indiana can experience significant lake-effect snow.
Snow, wind and bitter cold can affect schools statewide.
Long winters and frequent snow create regular closure risks.
Heavy snow, blizzards and extreme cold can affect school schedules.
Winter storms, wind and blowing snow can disrupt travel.
Snow and ice events vary considerably from north to south.
Strong winds can worsen snow and ice during winter storms.
Winter storms and blowing snow can produce difficult travel.
Northern Plains and Upper Midwest
Blizzards, high winds, drifting snow and dangerous cold can be as important as snowfall amounts in these states.
Blizzards, drifting snow and extreme cold are major winter hazards.
Strong winter storms can bring snow, wind and dangerous cold.
Mountain snow and severe cold create a long winter season.
Elevation, wind and mountain snowfall produce challenging winters.
Mountain and Southwestern States
Elevation creates major differences in snowfall, with mountain communities often experiencing very different conditions from nearby valleys and deserts.
Mountain snowfall can be heavy while lower elevations vary widely.
Mountain regions receive substantial winter snowfall.
Desert areas rarely see snow, while high elevations can get much more.
Higher elevations can receive significant seasonal snow.
Snow varies sharply between valleys, cities and mountain communities.
Desert valleys see limited snow while mountain areas receive much more.
West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii
Winter conditions range from coastal rain and mountain snow to Arctic cold, creating some of the country’s greatest snowfall contrasts.
Lowlands and mountains have dramatically different winter climates.
Mountain snowfall is substantial while many valleys see less snow.
Major snow occurs in mountain regions rather than most coastal cities.
Long winters, deep snow and severe cold occur across many areas.
Snow is rare and largely limited to the highest volcanic summits.
Check Your Snow Day Chance
Don’t want to browse by state? Use the main Snow Day Calculator, enter your ZIP code, and get a quick estimate based on current winter weather conditions.
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