Alabama Snow Day Forecast & School Closings

Snow Days per Year0–3 (varies by region)
Snow SeasonDecember through February

Alabama is a state where winter weather is rare, dramatic, and extremely disruptive when it arrives. The north Alabama highlands around Huntsville average roughly 2–3 inches of snow per year, while Mobile on the Gulf Coast averages around 0.2 inches. Ice storms are Alabama's most dangerous winter hazard, and the state's hilly terrain in the north combined with limited plowing infrastructure means that events considered minor in colder climates can strand motorists and close schools for days.

Active Closures & Delays

Sources update throughout the morning. Always confirm with your school district for the latest information.

No closures or delays reported in Alabama today.

Alabama Recent Snow Days

Date Closings Delays Other Most Active County
Mar 17, 2026 7 Blount
Mar 16, 2026 9 59 3 Dothan
Mar 15, 2026 1 Jackson
Mar 14, 2026 1 Jackson
Mar 12, 2026 6 Dothan
Mar 11, 2026 7 1 9 Colbert
Mar 9, 2026 2 Jefferson
Feb 28, 2026 1 Huntsville
Feb 27, 2026 1 Huntsville
Feb 26, 2026 1 Huntsville
Feb 25, 2026 1 Huntsville

Closing data is gathered from public sources and may not reflect every district. Always confirm with your school for official status.

Snow Zones in Alabama

Tennessee Valley & Northeast Highlands 1–4"/yr

Huntsville and the higher terrain of north Alabama. The snowiest part of the state, where colder air and occasional Gulf systems can produce accumulating snow and frequent ice. Schools close roughly 2–4 times per year, including ice events.

North-Central Alabama & Birmingham Metro 0–2"/yr

Birmingham, Hoover, Gadsden, and surrounding areas. Snow is infrequent, but ice storms can be severe. Hilly terrain makes even thin ice accumulations hazardous. Schools close roughly 1–3 times per year.

Central Alabama & Black Belt 0–1"/yr

Montgomery, Auburn, and the central tier. Snow is rare and ice is the primary winter hazard. Schools close roughly 0–2 times per year.

South Alabama & Gulf Coast 0–0.5"/yr

Mobile, Dothan, and the Gulf Coast. Measurable snow is uncommon and often separated by many years. When it happens, even small amounts can shut down travel. Schools close 0–1 times per year for winter weather.

Major School Districts in Alabama

Mobile County Public School System
Mobile County · 49,946 students
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Jefferson County Schools
Jefferson County · 35,444 students
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Baldwin County Public Schools
Baldwin County · 31,965 students
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Shelby County Schools
Shelby County · 20,638 students
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Montgomery Public Schools
Montgomery County · 26,395 students
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Madison County Schools
Madison County · 20,691 students
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Huntsville City Schools
Madison County · 24,222 students
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Birmingham City Schools
Jefferson County · 20,954 students
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Hoover City Schools
Jefferson County · 13,632 students
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Tuscaloosa City Schools
Tuscaloosa County · 11,230 students
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Lee County Schools
Lee County · 9,026 students
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Dothan City Schools
Houston County · 8,220 students
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Notable Winter Storms

January 2014 Ice & Snow Event 1–3" with ice
Jan 28–29, 2014

A disruptive snow and ice event hit north and central Alabama during the afternoon commute. Roads iced quickly and travel became hazardous across parts of the Birmingham metro and north Alabama. Many districts closed, and some schools and public buildings sheltered stranded travelers.

Storm of the Century 4–16"
Mar 12–14, 1993

The 1993 Superstorm brought historic snowfall and blizzard conditions to much of the state, especially north and central Alabama. Many areas experienced widespread closures and prolonged travel disruptions.

February 2021 Winter Storm (Uri) 1–6" with ice
Feb 14–16, 2021

A prolonged period of freezing temperatures combined with snow and ice affected much of Alabama, especially the northern half of the state. Road conditions remained hazardous for multiple days and schools closed broadly.

January 2011 Snowstorm 2–8"
Jan 9–10, 2011

A significant winter storm brought accumulating snow to parts of north and central Alabama, along with ice in some areas. Schools closed for multiple days and road conditions remained poor due to limited treatment capacity.

Snow Day FAQ

How many snow days does Alabama get per year?

North Alabama averages roughly 2–4 closure days in more active winters. The Birmingham region often sees 1–3. Central Alabama typically closes 0–2 times. The Gulf Coast may go years between winter weather closures.

Will school be closed tomorrow in Alabama?

It depends on the forecast, storm timing, and local road conditions. Enter your ZIP code above to see the latest closure and delay probabilities for your area. Predictions update automatically as National Weather Service forecasts change.

What triggers a snow day in Alabama?

Any forecast for measurable snow or ice can trigger closures, especially when it coincides with morning travel. Ice is often the bigger trigger than snow because bridges and overpasses glaze quickly and road treatment capacity is limited.

Does Alabama use virtual snow days?

Many districts can use remote learning days at local discretion, especially since COVID. Some districts still rely on traditional makeup days because winter weather closures are relatively infrequent.

Why does Alabama shut down for so little snow?

Limited plowing and road pre-treatment capacity, hilly terrain in parts of the state, and rapid icing on bridges and elevated roadways mean that even light snow or a thin glaze of ice can quickly create dangerous travel conditions.

Snow Day Forecasts by State

Check snow day probabilities for your area. We track school closures, weather alerts, snowfall reports, and 7-day forecasts for all 50 states — from lake-effect blizzards in the Midwest to rare southern snow events.

Great Lakes & Midwest

Lake-effect snow drives some of the highest school closure rates in the country. Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin regularly see multi-day storms, while Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois face both lake-effect bands and arctic cold fronts. The region averages more snow days per year than nearly anywhere else in the U.S.

Northeast & New England

Nor'easters and coastal storms make the Northeast a snow day hotspot. From Buffalo's lake-effect events to Boston's blizzards and Vermont's mountain snowfall, winter weather closures are a regular part of the school year. Major metros like New York City and Philadelphia see widespread closures when storms hit during commute hours.

Northern Plains & Rockies

Blizzards, high-altitude snowfall, and extreme cold define winter across this region. Mountain passes in Colorado, Utah, and Montana can receive over 200 inches annually, while plains states face wind-driven whiteouts that close schools even with modest accumulations. Wind chill regularly triggers closures across the Dakotas and Nebraska.

Appalachia & Mid-Atlantic

Moderate snowfall totals here mask outsized disruption. With lower preparedness and fewer plows, a 3-inch storm in Virginia or North Carolina can close as many schools as a 10-inch storm in the Northeast. Ice storms are especially dangerous across the Appalachian range, often causing multi-day closures.

South & Gulf States

Snow is rare across the Deep South and Gulf Coast, but when it arrives, it's a regional event. Minimal winter infrastructure means even a dusting can trigger widespread school closures. Ice storms pose the biggest winter threat, and states like Texas and Georgia can see citywide shutdowns from storms that would barely register further north.

West Coast & Pacific

Winter weather varies enormously across the West. Alaska sees months of snow and extreme cold, while Pacific Northwest cities face occasional ice storms and wet snow. Mountain areas from the Cascades to the Sierra Nevada measure snowfall in feet. Desert Southwest states rarely see snow at lower elevations.