New York Snow Day Forecast & School Closings
New York has some of the most dramatic snow variation of any state east of the Rockies. The Tug Hill Plateau east of Lake Ontario is one of the snowiest inhabited places in the United States, frequently exceeding 200 inches per year, while New York City averages around 25–30 inches. With roughly 2.5 million public school students spread from the lake-effect snowbelts to Long Island's coastal suburbs, New York's snow day decisions span an extraordinary range of climates and closure cultures.
Active Closures & Delays Today — Mar 31, 2026
Sources update throughout the morning. Always confirm with your school district for the latest information.
Closed 1 school
Delayed 2 schools
New York Recent Snow Days
| Date | Closings | Delays | Other | Most Active County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2026 | 1 | 2 | — | St Lawrence |
| Mar 20, 2026 | 13 | — | 24 | St Lawrence |
| Mar 19, 2026 | 1 | — | — | Monroe |
| Mar 18, 2026 | 1 | 18 | 5 | Oswego |
| Mar 17, 2026 | 132 | 136 | 16 | Broome |
| Mar 16, 2026 | 1 | 17 | 1 | Jefferson |
| Mar 13, 2026 | 2 | — | 3 | Jefferson |
| Mar 10, 2026 | 1 | — | — | Livingston County |
| Mar 9, 2026 | 1 | — | — | Livingston County |
| Mar 6, 2026 | — | 8 | — | Lewis |
| Mar 4, 2026 | 11 | 76 | 1 | Delaware |
| Mar 3, 2026 | 29 | — | 26 | Delaware |
| Mar 2, 2026 | 4 | 1 | — | Mansfield |
| Feb 23, 2026 | 27 | 70 | 2 | Broome |
| Feb 22, 2026 | 1 | 2 | — | Blue Ridge |
| Feb 20, 2026 | 12 | 23 | 3 | Broome |
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 New York
One of the snowiest regions in the eastern United States. Lake-effect snow off Lake Ontario targets the Tug Hill Plateau and surrounding lowlands. Redfield and nearby communities can exceed 200 inches in snowy winters. Syracuse, on the edge of this zone, is among the snowiest larger U.S. cities. Schools close frequently in heavy lake-effect periods, though annual totals vary widely by winter.
Buffalo and Rochester receive frequent lake-effect snow. The southtowns near Buffalo (for example Orchard Park and Hamburg) often see higher totals than areas north of the city. Multi-day disruptions can happen during persistent bands, but closure totals vary widely by winter severity and where the heaviest bands set up.
High elevation and northern latitude create a long, snowy winter. The Adirondack High Peaks area can exceed 100 inches in many seasons. Plattsburgh and the Champlain Valley see somewhat less. Small rural districts can close frequently due to road conditions, and extreme cold sometimes contributes.
Albany, Utica, Binghamton, and the central corridor. Nor'easters and Alberta clippers both contribute. Higher elevation in parts of the Southern Tier supports higher totals than nearby lowlands. School closures vary year to year, commonly driven by timing and road conditions as much as accumulation.
The lowest snowfall region in the state. NYC averages roughly 25–30 inches, and the city's transit-oriented infrastructure means closures tend to occur mainly during major events. Suburban districts often close more readily than NYC, but outcomes vary by forecast confidence, timing, and local road conditions.
Major School Districts in New York
Notable Winter Storms
An extraordinary lake-effect event buried the Buffalo southtowns under several feet of snow in a short period. Roof collapses and extended disruptions occurred in the hardest-hit band, while locations not far away saw far less.
A major nor'easter impacted much of the Northeast, bringing heavy snow to parts of eastern New York including the NYC area and the Hudson Valley. Impacts varied widely by location and were followed by flooding concerns in some areas as temperatures rose.
A late-season nor'easter produced significant snow in parts of the state, though totals were notably uneven due to mixing and coastal-changeover issues in some areas. Some districts closed, with impacts depending strongly on local accumulation and wind.
A historic cyclone produced blizzard conditions across large parts of the eastern United States. New York saw major disruption, with snowfall varying widely by region and elevation.
An unusually early, heavy wet snow event hit portions of western New York while many trees still had leaves. Tree damage and power outages drove many of the impacts and closures.
Snow Day FAQ
How many snow days does New York get per year?
The range is enormous and varies by winter severity. Lake-effect districts in western and northern New York can see frequent closures in snowy winters, while NYC Public Schools typically close far less often.
Will school be closed tomorrow in New York?
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 York?
Thresholds vary dramatically by district. Some NYC-area schools may stay open through moderate snowfall, while suburban districts may close earlier based on forecast confidence, timing, and road conditions. Rapid-onset lake-effect and ice are major drivers statewide.
Does New York use virtual snow days?
Many New York districts have used remote instruction options in recent years. Policies differ by district and can change, especially as state guidance and local agreements evolve.
Which part of New York gets the most snow?
The Tug Hill Plateau east of Lake Ontario is among the snowiest inhabited regions in the United States, often exceeding 200 inches per year in snowy winters.