Maryland Snow Day Forecast & School Closings
Maryland packs remarkable snow variation into a compact state — from Garrett County in the far west, which averages over 100 inches per year, to the Eastern Shore, which may see barely 10. The Baltimore-Washington corridor contains over a million public school students, making Maryland's snow day decisions among the highest-impact in the mid-Atlantic. The state's unique geography means a single storm can produce 2 feet of snow in the mountains, 6 inches in the suburbs, and rain at the coast.
Active Closures & Delays
Sources update throughout the morning. Always confirm with your school district for the latest information.
Maryland Recent Snow Days
| Date | Closings | Delays | Other | Most Active County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 2026 | 5 | — | 12 | Baltimore |
| Mar 15, 2026 | — | — | 1 | Baltimore |
| Mar 3, 2026 | — | 8 | — | Baltimore |
| Feb 24, 2026 | — | 3 | — | Cecil |
| Feb 23, 2026 | 25 | 7 | 1 | Baltimore |
| Feb 22, 2026 | 1 | 1 | — | Baltimore |
Closing data is gathered from public sources and may not reflect every district. Always confirm with your school for official status.
Check Your Forecast
Snow Zones in Maryland
Oakland, Deep Creek Lake, and the Allegheny Plateau. By far the snowiest part of the state, with consistent cold and heavy accumulation from November through March. Schools close roughly 8–15 times per season, and the mountain roads make even moderate events treacherous.
Frostburg, Hagerstown, and Frederick. Higher elevation than the coastal plain produces meaningfully more snow. Nor'easters and Alberta clippers both contribute. Schools close roughly 4–7 times per year.
Baltimore, Columbia, Bethesda, and the dense suburban ring. Home to the vast majority of the state's students. Nor'easters are the primary threat and can deliver 10–20+ inches in a single event. Even 2–3 inches snarls the commute corridor. Montgomery County's decisions alone affect roughly 156,000 students. Schools close roughly 2–5 times per year.
Waldorf, Charles County, and the Chesapeake Bay communities. Closer to the rain/snow line during nor'easters. Ice storms and wintry mixes are often more disruptive than straight snow. Schools close roughly 1–4 times per year.
Salisbury, Ocean City, and the Delmarva Peninsula. The least snow in the state and the lowest preparedness. Maritime influence from the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean moderates temperatures. Even 2 inches can close schools. Schools close roughly 1–3 times per year.
Major School Districts in Maryland
Notable Winter Storms
A massive nor'easter buried central Maryland under 2–3 feet. Baltimore received over 25 inches and the western suburbs saw 30+. Schools were closed for a full week and a second major storm just four days later compounded the disruption.
A historic blizzard struck central Maryland with record-setting totals. Some locations in the Baltimore-Washington corridor received nearly 3 feet. Schools closed for nearly a week and many side streets remained impassable for days.
Heavy snow over the holiday weekend extended school closures well into the following week. Baltimore received over 26 inches and western Maryland saw even more.
A powerful nor'easter paralyzed the state. Baltimore recorded over 22 inches and Garrett County exceeded 3 feet. Schools closed statewide for up to a week. A second storm 10 days later added insult to injury.
Snow Day FAQ
How many snow days does Maryland get per year?
Garrett County in the mountains often closes 8–15 times per season. Western Maryland averages roughly 4–7. The Baltimore-Washington corridor sees 2–5. The Eastern Shore typically has 1–3.
Will school be closed tomorrow in Maryland?
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 Maryland?
Most suburban districts close for 3–4 inches of forecast snow. Montgomery County and other large districts often close preemptively when storms are forecast for the morning commute. Ice is a significant independent trigger. Garrett County has much higher thresholds due to better preparedness.
Does Maryland use virtual snow days?
Maryland allows virtual instruction days at district discretion. Montgomery County, Baltimore County, and other large districts have adopted virtual snow day options since COVID. Some districts offer a limited number of virtual days alongside traditional makeup days.
Which part of Maryland gets the most snow?
Garrett County in the far western corner receives the most, with Oakland averaging roughly 104 inches per year — comparable to many northern states. Frostburg in neighboring Allegany County averages over 70 inches. The contrast with the Eastern Shore, which averages barely 10 inches, makes Maryland one of the most snow-variable small states.