Virginia Snow Day Forecast & School Closings

Snow Days per Year1–10+ (varies by region)
Snow SeasonNovember through March

Virginia is one of the most watched states for snow day forecasts due to its combination of dense suburban school districts and highly variable winter weather. Northern Virginia's proximity to the federal government means school closures can ripple into national productivity. From higher elevations of the Blue Ridge averaging roughly 20–35 inches per year to the Tidewater coast that may see only a few inches annually, Virginia's snow day landscape is among the most geographically diverse on the East Coast.

Active Closures & Delays

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

No closures or delays reported in Virginia today.

Virginia Recent Snow Days

Date Closings Delays Other Most Active County
Mar 27, 2026 2 Roanoke
Mar 20, 2026 3 Chesapeake
Mar 19, 2026 3 Chesapeake
Mar 18, 2026 2 6 3 Tazewell
Mar 17, 2026 29 22 7 Tazewell
Mar 16, 2026 217 6 115 Richmond
Mar 15, 2026 84 25 Roanoke
Mar 13, 2026 1 Franklin
Mar 12, 2026 4 Wise
Mar 10, 2026 1 Northampton
Mar 9, 2026 1 1 Brunswick
Mar 5, 2026 1 Northampton
Mar 3, 2026 29 Frederick
Mar 2, 2026 1 21 Giles
Mar 1, 2026 1 Alleghany Highlands
Feb 24, 2026 25 12 Tazewell
Feb 23, 2026 71 138 13 Washington
Feb 22, 2026 3 70 8 Washington
Feb 20, 2026 2 Brunswick

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

Snow Zones in Virginia

Blue Ridge & Appalachian 25–40"/yr

Highest snowfall in the state. Mountain communities close more frequently due to elevation and icy mountain roads. Highland and Bath counties often experience multiple closure or delay days in active winters.

Shenandoah Valley 18–28"/yr

Cold air trapping in the valley produces persistent snow cover. Districts like Augusta and Rockingham commonly close several times in active winters, and ice events are common through March.

Northern Virginia 13–18"/yr

DC metro suburbs. Even moderate snowfall causes major disruptions. Fairfax County decisions affect roughly 180,000 students. Districts commonly experience multiple closures or delays in a typical winter, depending on storm timing and ice.

Piedmont & Central 8–15"/yr

Richmond and surrounding counties. Ice storms are often more disruptive than snowfall here. Closures vary widely year to year and can include preemptive decisions for freezing rain.

Tidewater & Eastern Shore 3–7"/yr

Lowest snowfall but lower snow preparedness. A small event can trigger closures in coastal communities. Many years see few or no snow days.

Major School Districts in Virginia

Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax County · 180,000 students
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Prince William County Public Schools
Prince William County · 90,000 students
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Loudoun County Public Schools
Loudoun County · 83,000 students
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Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Virginia Beach County · 64,000 students
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Chesterfield County Public Schools
Chesterfield County · 63,000 students
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Henrico County Public Schools
Henrico County · 50,000 students
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Notable Winter Storms

Snowmageddon 20–35"
Feb 5–6, 2010

Record-breaking storm buried Northern Virginia. Federal government closures and prolonged cleanup contributed to extended school disruptions across the region.

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

Blizzard shut down large portions of the state for days. Some districts remained impacted well after the snow ended due to road conditions.

January 2022 I-95 Stranding 6–12"
Jan 3–4, 2022

Rapid accumulation trapped motorists on I-95 near Fredericksburg. Many Virginia districts closed and the storm highlighted how moderate totals with bad timing can paralyze the state.

Presidents' Day Storm 12–25"
Feb 16–17, 2003

Heavy snowfall over the holiday weekend extended school disruptions into the following week across parts of Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.

Snow Day FAQ

How many snow days does Virginia get per year?

It varies widely by region and winter severity. Mountain districts often see more closures or delays in snowy years, Northern Virginia often has multiple closure events in active winters, and Tidewater sometimes sees none.

Will school be closed tomorrow in Virginia?

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 Virginia?

Many Virginia districts close for forecast snowfall and especially for significant ice. Storm timing (morning commute) and road conditions often matter as much as totals.

Does Virginia use virtual snow days?

Many Virginia districts adopted virtual learning days after COVID. Some districts convert certain closure days to asynchronous learning days, though approaches vary by district.

Which part of Virginia gets the most snow?

The Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountain areas in western Virginia receive the most snow, commonly around 25–40 inches per year on average, with higher totals at higher elevations.

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.