Snow Day, Delay or Bus Cancellation: What Is the Difference?

When winter weather hits, schools have more choices than just open or closed. Knowing the difference helps you plan your morning. It also helps you understand what our percentage really means.

Full closure (a real snow day)

The school building is closed and there are no classes. This is what most kids hope for. Districts often have to make these days up later in the year. Some add days in June. Others use extra days that were built into the calendar.

Two hour delay

School starts later than normal, often by two hours. Buses run later too. A delay gives plows and the sun time to clear roads. It is common when snow ends overnight or when roads are icy at dawn but should improve by mid morning.

If our calculator shows a chance between about 20% and 50%, a delay is a real possibility even if a full closure is not.

Remote learning day

Since 2020, many districts can switch to online classes instead of closing. Kids log in from home. Some states call these flexible instruction days or e-learning days. They count as a school day, so there is nothing to make up later.

If your district uses remote days, a high chance on our calculator may mean a laptop morning instead of a sledding morning.

Bus cancellation (very common in Canada)

In Ontario and some other provinces, school boards often cancel buses but keep schools open. Kids who walk or get a ride can still go to class. This happens a lot with freezing rain or fog on rural roads.

So in places like Toronto or Ottawa, a high chance on our calculator often means buses are cancelled rather than every school being closed.

Early dismissal

Sometimes a storm arrives during the school day. Schools may send kids home early so buses can get them home before roads get bad. Our calculator focuses on the morning so it does not predict early dismissals.

Where to find the official answer

• Your school district or school board website
• Text, email or phone alerts from the district (sign up at the start of the year)
• Your district's social media pages
• Local TV and radio stations that list closings
• School bus company websites in Canada, which post bus cancellations by area