Legal & Operational Disclaimer
⚠️ A Risk Estimate is NOT a School Closure Announcement
The estimates produced by The Snow Day Calculator represent meteorological risk scores derived from weather models and historical transit hazards.A calculation of “High Risk” does not mean your school is closed. Likewise, a calculation of “Low Risk” does not guarantee school will remain open.
Who Makes the Real Decision?
School closure decisions are made exclusively by local school district superintendents, boards of education, and transit directors. Superintendents consult directly with municipal plow crews, local law enforcement, meteorologists, and bus fleet supervisors typically between 4:00 AM and 5:30 AM on the morning of a storm.
Factors Beyond Weather
Administrative decisions frequently depend on non-meteorological factors that no weather algorithm can detect, such as:
- Number of snow days already used in the school calendar year
- School building heating or boiler mechanical failures
- Teacher and bus driver staffing shortages
- State-mandated minimum instructional hour requirements
- Availability of remote learning technology (FID / Flexible Instruction Days)
Where to Find Official Information
Always verify status through your school district's verified communication channels:
- Official school district website or mass-notification portal
- District emergency automated phone calls and text alerts
- Local television news morning closing ticker bars
- Verified district social media accounts (X/Twitter, Facebook)