How it works
From the forecast to your school's odds
Every hour from noon to midnight, and again at 4:30 AM, Snow Day Radar reads the latest weather for every public school district in the lower 48.
NOAA's forecastSnow, ice and cold for the night and the school day
Snow already downWhat's on the ground before the buses roll
Weather alertsNational Weather Service warnings and advisories
Then it asks three questions
- QUESTION 1
How rare is this snow here?
Thirty years of NOAA snowfall records for every district. Two inches is a once-a-decade event in north Florida and a Tuesday in Michigan.
- QUESTION 2
How hard is it to get kids to school?
Hilly roads, long rural bus routes and spread-out schools. That is why eastern Kentucky closes for less snow than its climate suggests.
- QUESTION 3
What does this district usually do?
Each district's own history of closures, so a district that rarely closes gets lower odds than its neighbor in the same storm.
The rules we keep
- Odds, never announcements. Only your district makes the call.
- Next school day: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 80%. Two days out: 20, 40 or 60%. Three days out: 10, 30 or 50%. Never 100%.
- Every number comes with a reason in plain words.
- No ads or trackers aimed at kids.