How Do Schools Decide To Have A Snow Day In The Buffalo Area

As one of the coldest and weirdest winters we've had in a long while inches along, people who are associated with local school districts do their best to manage day-to-day. From students and parents to teachers and administrators, getting up every day in Western New York when the thermometer is in the single digits or low teens can be pretty rough.

It can be even more difficult when you have to determine if it is necessary to keep your kids home from school as a parent or make the decision to close schools as a school district administrator if weather conditions are too rough to be outside waiting for the bus or walking to class.

But have you ever wondered what exactly goes into the decision-making process of what kind of day will mean kids will have a snowday or not? The answer may surprise you.

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There were several days in January 2026 when weather conditions were so bad that school districts all around the Buffalo area had to shut down classes in order to help keep students safe. Then, dangerous weather conditions returned, and many school districts switched to remote learning in order to save snow days.

Considering that New York State requires students to have a minimum of 180 days of instruction per year, districts have to be strategic when spending thier snow days during the winter. But what process do schools follow when trying to figure out when to close and when to stay open?

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Many schools around the Buffalo area follow the same kind of process, that is, there is no real defined process. In fact, many schools play it by ear and base it on what's happening that day.

The decision to close schools is multi-faceted and the varied impact of a weather event in the 40 square miles that constitute the City of Buffalo must be balanced in any closing consideration. In the best-case scenario, a severe event is anticipated, and decisions will be made in a timely fashion. However, occasionally the decision needs to be made quickly and decisively. In all decisions, the district will gather all possible information and make a closure determination that prioritizes safety and the best interests of our students and staff.
-Buffalo Public Schools Procedures for Emergency School Closing due to Severe Weather Events or Emergency Conditions

While many districts will make the call to close if wind chills are below -15° or lower or if snowfall severely impacts travel around the region, there is no real hard/fast rule they follow.

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