A forecast of four inches of snow sounds like a simple measurement. If two cities are both expecting four inches, it is easy to assume that schools in both places should have roughly the same chance of closing. In reality, the outcome can be very different. Four inches of snow in a city that regularly…

When schools close for winter weather, families often judge the decision by the conditions they can see outside their own homes. If the main road looks clear and only a few inches of snow have fallen, a closure can seem unnecessary. But a school district has to answer a much broader question: can students be…

A forecast saying that six inches of snow may fall tells you something important about an approaching winter storm, but it does not tell you everything about how disruptive that storm may become. Six inches of snow in one place may cause only moderate travel problems, while a combination of snow, ice and strong winds…

When people look at a winter forecast before school, they usually focus first on one number: how much snow is expected. A forecast of two inches may not sound serious, while six or eight inches immediately raises the possibility of a snow day. But snowfall totals alone do not tell the whole story. When the…

When families think about a possible snow day, snowfall is usually the first thing they check. A forecast of four, six or ten inches immediately raises questions about whether buses will run and whether schools will open. But snowfall is only one type of winter weather that can disrupt a school day. In many situations,…

Snow is not the only winter-weather condition that can affect whether schools open on time. On some winter mornings, roads may be clear and very little snow may be falling, yet dangerously low temperatures and wind chill can still create concerns for students waiting for buses, walking to school, or spending time outdoors. This raises…