Pacific Northwest & Alaska Region•Capital: Olympia
Washington Snow Day Predictor
WA
Western Washington (Seattle, Tacoma) has steep hills and temperatures near 32°F, making modest snowfalls treacherous. Eastern Washington experiences cold continental winters.
Typical Closure Threshold
2 to 5 inches (Seattle / Puget Sound) | 6 to 12 inches (Spokane / Eastern WA)
Climate Classification
Maritime West / Cascade Alpine / Inland Columbia Basin
Average Annual Snow Days
2–6 days (Seattle) | 15–30 days (Eastern WA)
Washington Cities & School Districts
Select your city below for localized school closure probability forecasts and district contacts.
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Department of Transportation Plowing Operations
WSDOT maintains heavy plows and avalanche control over Snoqualmie Pass (I-90) and Stevens Pass (US-2).
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School Closure Decision Framework
Seattle Public Schools and suburban Puget Sound districts evaluate hilly neighborhood bus routes before deciding on delays or closures.
Washington Snow Day FAQs
Q:Why does Seattle close school for just 2 to 3 inches of snow?
Seattle is built on steep hills. When maritime snow falls at 32°F, it packs down into slippery wet ice, making bus navigation on steep streets like Queen Anne Hill impossible.