Tennessee Snow Day Forecast & School Closings

Snow Days per Year0–6 (varies by region)
Snow SeasonDecember through February

Tennessee is a state where even a modest snow forecast can trigger widespread school closures across a region largely unequipped for winter weather. The Great Smoky Mountains in the east can see 30+ inches per year at higher elevations, while Memphis in the far west averages roughly 3 inches. Ice storms are often more devastating than snow, and Tennessee's hilly terrain and limited plowing resources mean that 2 inches here has the impact of 6 inches in a northern state.

Active Closures & Delays Today — Mar 31, 2026

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

1 closed — 1 total
Closed 1 school
Fentress County
Fentress CountyClosed

Tennessee Recent Snow Days

Date Closings Delays Other Most Active County
Mar 31, 2026 1 Fentress
Mar 30, 2026 1 Fentress
Mar 29, 2026 1 Fentress
Mar 28, 2026 1 Fentress
Mar 27, 2026 3 Hancock
Mar 26, 2026 2 Fentress
Mar 25, 2026 1 Fentress
Mar 24, 2026 1 Fentress
Mar 23, 2026 1 Fentress
Mar 22, 2026 1 Fentress
Mar 21, 2026 1 Fentress
Mar 20, 2026 1 Fentress
Mar 19, 2026 1 Fentress
Mar 18, 2026 3 10 Avery
Mar 17, 2026 22 27 Loudon
Mar 16, 2026 21 17 5 Loudon
Mar 15, 2026 1 Grundy
Mar 12, 2026 1 1 Scott
Mar 11, 2026 2 Giles
Mar 9, 2026 1 Dekalb
Mar 8, 2026 1 Dekalb
Mar 7, 2026 1 Dekalb
Mar 6, 2026 3 Dekalb
Mar 5, 2026 2 Pickett
Mar 4, 2026 2 Overton
Mar 3, 2026 1 Overton
Mar 2, 2026 2 Hamblen
Mar 1, 2026 1 Jefferson
Feb 28, 2026 1 Jefferson
Feb 27, 2026 3 Cannon
Feb 26, 2026 3 1 Cannon
Feb 25, 2026 17 28 Hawkins
Feb 24, 2026 23 21 Hawkins
Feb 23, 2026 35 10 1 Scott
Feb 22, 2026 3 7 Avery
Feb 20, 2026 2 Blountville

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

Snow Zones in Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains & Upper East Tennessee 12–35"/yr

Mountain City, Johnson City, and the higher elevations of the Smokies. The snowiest part of the state, with mountaintop areas sometimes exceeding 30 inches. The Cumberland Plateau at Crossville and Cookeville also sees enhanced totals due to elevation. Schools close roughly 3–6 times per year.

Middle Tennessee & Nashville Basin 4–8"/yr

Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Clarksville, and the surrounding counties. The largest concentration of students in the state. Even 1–2 inches snarls traffic and closes schools. Ice storms are equally disruptive. Schools close roughly 1–3 times per year, but those closures tend to shut down the entire region at once.

East Tennessee Valley 5–12"/yr

Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tennessee Valley between the mountain ridges. Somewhat sheltered by terrain but still catches significant events. Schools close roughly 2–4 times per year. Knoxville's valley position means cold air damming events can produce unexpected ice.

West Tennessee 3–6"/yr

Memphis, Jackson, and the Mississippi River lowlands. The least snow in the state. Ice storms are the primary winter threat, sometimes more devastating than snow events in northern states. Schools close roughly 0–2 times per year for snow, with ice adding an occasional closure.

Major School Districts in Tennessee

Shelby County Schools
Shelby County · 100,000 students
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Metro Nashville Public Schools
Davidson County · 80,000 students
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Knox County Schools
Knox County · 60,000 students
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Rutherford County Schools
Rutherford County · 49,000 students
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Hamilton County Schools
Hamilton County · 45,000 students
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Williamson County Schools
Williamson County · 43,000 students
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Clarksville-Montgomery County School System
Montgomery County · 37,000 students
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Sumner County Schools
Sumner County · 34,000 students
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Jackson-Madison County School System
Madison County · 13,000 students
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Putnam County School System
Putnam County · 11,000 students
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Sullivan County Schools
Sullivan County · 10,000 students
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Washington County Schools
Washington County · 9,000 students
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Notable Winter Storms

January 2016 Winter Storm 4–12"
Jan 22–23, 2016

The southern edge of Winter Storm Jonas brought significant snow to East Tennessee while central and western Tennessee received ice. Knoxville received over 8 inches. Schools statewide closed, with some areas shut down for multiple days due to lingering ice.

February 2015 Ice & Snow Event 3–10" with significant ice
Feb 16–17, 2015

A wintry mix of freezing rain and snow hit the state over Presidents' Day. Nashville received a thick ice coating followed by snow. Schools were closed for several days and power outages affected tens of thousands.

January 1985 Arctic Outbreak 6–13"
Jan 20–21, 1985

One of the coldest outbreaks in Tennessee history brought heavy snow and single-digit temperatures statewide. Nashville recorded 13 inches — one of its heaviest events on record. Schools closed for multiple days across the state.

March 1993 Storm of the Century 6–20"
Mar 12–14, 1993

The legendary Superstorm delivered heavy snow to East Tennessee, with the Smokies receiving 1–2 feet. Nashville saw roughly 4 inches with bitter cold. Thunder snow was reported across the state. Schools closed statewide.

Snow Day FAQ

How many snow days does Tennessee get per year?

The Smoky Mountains and upper East Tennessee average roughly 3–6 closure days. Nashville and Middle Tennessee see 1–3. Memphis and West Tennessee typically close 0–2 times. Ice storms can significantly increase closures in any region.

Will school be closed tomorrow in Tennessee?

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 Tennessee?

Most Tennessee districts close for 1–2 inches of forecast snow — among the lowest thresholds in the nation. The state has limited plowing equipment and hilly terrain makes even light accumulations hazardous. Any ice accumulation triggers closures. Districts often close preemptively for storms forecast to hit overnight.

Does Tennessee use virtual snow days?

Tennessee allows stockpile days and remote learning at district discretion. Metro Nashville and other large districts have adopted virtual snow day options. The state doesn't lose many days to snow, so traditional makeup days are still common in districts that haven't adopted virtual policies.

When is snow season in Tennessee?

Tennessee's snow season is short — primarily December through February. November and March snow is possible in the mountains but rare in the lowlands. Most accumulating events happen in January and February. The brief window means that when snow does hit, communities and roads are rarely well-prepared.

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.