School Weather Closures: Factors That Decide Whether Schools Stay Open or Shut Down

There isn’t a ton of envy for whoever has to make the call regarding school weather closures. It’s a tough decision that not everybody is going to like, no matter which way it goes. Call it too early, and you risk canceling school for a storm that fizzles out. Wait too long, and parents, students, and staff might be caught off guard by hazardous conditions.

It’s never an easy choice, especially when meteorologists aren’t 100% accurate in their predictions. Forecasts can shift, storms can weaken or intensify, and no amount of data can fully guarantee what conditions will be like at 6 a.m. As the decision-maker, you’re not just choosing whether buses will run; you’re weighing the risks for thousands of students, teachers, and staff. And if the call turns out to be wrong? You’ll hear about it from frustrated parents, stranded drivers, and even students who were hoping for an unexpected day off.

Who exactly makes these decisions and what are the factors that make them decide the way they do? What do they take into account when weighing the pros and cons? See how they make these calls below from real examples.

What Will Force School Weather Closures and Delays

Typically, most school weather closures and delays occur in the winter. Winter brings ice, snow, freezing rain, blizzards, and more. However, there are a number of events that can cause schools to be closed or delayed, some that may be very alarming and others that are minor inconveniences. Here’s a list of the most potential events that will cause these schedule interruptions for school: