Frequently Asked Questions

Our calculator achieves 97% accuracy when predicting closures with 97%+ probability. We validate predictions against actual school closure announcements after every major storm and publish our rolling accuracy metrics on the Accuracy page.

Yes! 100% free, forever. No sign-ups, no ads blocking the tool, no premium tier. We believe accurate weather information should be accessible to everyone.

We combine live weather data (snowfall, temperature, wind chill), ground surface temperatures, storm timing, and 10 years of historical school closure records for your specific region. A machine learning model weights all these factors and outputs a 0–100% probability score.

Yes! Toggle the Canada tab and enter your postal code or city. All units switch to metric (°C, cm, km/h) and the model applies Canadian provincial closure thresholds.

For the most accurate results, check between 8 PM and midnight the evening before a potential storm. This is when forecast models are most accurate for the next morning and when superintendents are actively monitoring conditions.

Your region may have high infrastructure capacity (large plow fleets, pre-treated roads) and a historically high closure threshold. A district that receives 120 inches of snow per year won't close for 6 inches; a district that sees 10 inches per year might.

The Snow Day Calculator gives you a quick probability score. The Snow Day Predictor is our more detailed tool, showing the full factor breakdown, weather panel, historical pattern data, and animated probability visualization.

Yes! Visit our Compare Cities page to enter two ZIP codes or city names side by side. The tool shows both probability scores simultaneously and declares a winner.

Weather data feeds are updated every 15 minutes. Prediction scores are recalculated each time you submit a request, so you always get the latest possible forecast.

No. Our predictor is a decision-support tool, not an official source. Always verify with your school district's website, automated phone system, or official social media before making plans.

Yes, but private schools and universities typically have different closure thresholds compared to public schools. Our system is optimized for public school districts, but the weather severity metrics apply to all institutions.

Yes, our system evaluates conditions that may result in delayed starts or early dismissals based on storm timing and intensity patterns. The results will often highlight if a morning delay is more likely than a full closure.

Absolutely! You can generate predictions for different ZIP codes or postal codes to compare conditions across various locations. Simply enter a new ZIP code to get an instant prediction.