New Jersey Snow Day Forecast & School Closings

Snow Days per Year1–6 (varies by region)
Snow SeasonNovember through March

New Jersey's position on the nor'easter track makes it highly sensitive to storm track and the rain-snow line. The northwest highlands typically receive much more snow than the southern shore and Pine Barrens. With hundreds of districts in a dense commuting corridor, even moderate events can drive widespread closures depending on timing and forecast confidence.

Active Closures & Delays

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

No closures or delays reported in New Jersey today.

Snow Zones in New Jersey

Northwest Highlands 35–50"/yr

Sussex, Warren, and northwestern Morris counties. Higher terrain supports colder temperatures and more snow than the coastal plain. Icy roads and elevation-related travel challenges can drive closures.

North Jersey & Urban Corridor 25–36"/yr

Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and the I-95 corridor. The highest density and commuting impacts. Closures depend heavily on timing, forecast confidence, and expected road conditions.

Central Jersey & Shore 20–30"/yr

Trenton, Freehold, and the Jersey Shore. Often near the rain-snow line, making outcomes highly sensitive to storm track. Coastal flooding and wind can contribute to disruption during major nor'easters.

South Jersey & Pine Barrens 12–22"/yr

Camden, Vineland, Atlantic City, and the southern tier. Generally less snow than the north, with more mixed-precipitation events. Even modest snow can be disruptive depending on temperature and timing.

Major School Districts in New Jersey

Newark Public Schools
Essex County · 40,000 students
Check forecast →
Jersey City Public Schools
Hudson County · 30,000 students
Check forecast →
Elizabeth Public Schools
Union County · 28,000 students
Check forecast →
Paterson Public Schools
Passaic County · 25,000 students
Check forecast →
Toms River Regional Schools
Ocean County · 15,000 students
Check forecast →
Passaic City School District
Passaic County · 15,000 students
Check forecast →
Trenton Public Schools
Mercer County · 13,000 students
Check forecast →
Camden City School District
Camden County · 13,000 students
Check forecast →
Freehold Regional High School District
Monmouth County · 11,000 students
Check forecast →
Vineland Public Schools
Cumberland County · 10,000 students
Check forecast →

Notable Winter Storms

Snowmageddon 16–28"
Feb 5–6, 2010

A major Mid-Atlantic storm brought heavy snow to large portions of New Jersey, with the highest totals in central and northern areas. A second storm shortly after compounded cleanup challenges.

Winter Storm Jonas 18–30"
Jan 22–24, 2016

A major blizzard produced heavy snow and strong winds across much of New Jersey, with totals varying by latitude and distance from the coast. Coastal flooding and wind impacts affected some shore communities.

Blizzard of 1996 20–35"
Jan 6–8, 1996

One of New Jersey's biggest snowstorms on record. Heavy snow and subsequent cold created prolonged travel and cleanup issues.

December 2010 Boxing Day Blizzard 15–32"
Dec 26–27, 2010

A strong coastal storm hit during the holiday break. While schools were out, disruption to travel and delayed cleanup affected the return to normal operations in some areas.

Snow Day FAQ

How many snow days does New Jersey get per year?

It varies by region and winter severity. Northwest highlands generally see more closures than the shore and the far south.

Will school be closed tomorrow in New Jersey?

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 New Jersey?

Closures are driven by forecast confidence, timing, and road safety. The rain-snow line is a major factor and small shifts can create large differences across short distances.

Does New Jersey use virtual snow days?

Some districts use remote instruction days in place of traditional snow days. Specific limits and implementation details depend on state guidance and district policy and can change over time.

Why do some New Jersey districts close when others don't?

Storm track, the rain-snow line, and elevation can produce large differences across the state. District operational policies and local road conditions also vary widely.

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.