Chicago Snow Day Predictor: Will Chicago Schools Close Tomorrow?
Chicago Public Schools is one of the largest districts in the country and rarely closes for snow alone; it has closed for extreme cold, including during the polar-vortex days of January 2019.
When winds blow from the north or northeast across Lake Michigan, lake-effect snow can hit the lakefront and the Indiana shore much harder than the western suburbs.
Forecast data may be out of date. We're working on it; check your local forecast too.
Chicago snow day chances
Chicago, IL
Friday
Unlikely
<1%
chance of a snow day
<1% chance of a delay
Monday
Unlikely
<1%
chance of a snow day
<1% chance of a delay
Overnight snow 0.2"Usually closes at 5"
- 0.2" of snow forecast overnight before Friday (8 pm–9 am).
- Chicago usually needs about 5" to close schools (normal snowfall 37" a year).
Did your school decide for Friday? Tap to report:
Estimate, not official. Check your school district for the final decision.
Updated . Not in Chicago? Enter your own ZIP code above.
How much snow closes school in Chicago?
Chicago gets about 37" of snow in a normal year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, averaged from 6 nearby stations including Chicago Midway Airport 3sw, Oak Brook 2w, Chicago Ohare Intl. Airport). Based on that, our model treats about 5" of overnight snow as the point where a closure becomes a coin flip. Less than half of that rarely closes schools here; one and a half times that usually does.
ChicagoOther placesModel estimate from NOAA normal snowfall
Chicago average snowfall by month
Winter weather alerts and forecaster notes for Chicago
No winter storm, ice or cold alerts from the National Weather Service are in effect for Chicago right now.
NWS Chicago/Romeoville, IL · Key Messages
- Prolonged lake effect rain and at times snow showers will continue through at least Saturday morning, especially in northwest IN.
- Rain will transition to snow in the lake effect band tonight and may result in a few inches of wet snow accumulation that will lead to some localized travel impacts late tonight into Friday morning, including the Friday morning commute.
- Cooler temperatures are expected through the weekend before temperatures warm next week.
Excerpt from the National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL Area Forecast Discussion, issued Nov 12, 6:23 PM CST. Read the full discussion.
Chicago 7-day snow forecast
About 0.3" of snow in the 7-day forecast for Chicago.
Chicago's biggest snow days last winter (2025–26)
Daily snowfall5" or moreSource: NOAA GHCN-Daily
In the 2025–26 winter, NOAA's Chicago Ohare Intl. Airport station (25 km from Chicago) recorded34.1" of snow. Its biggest single-day totals:
| Date | Snowfall |
|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 29, 2025 | 8.4" |
| Sun, Dec 7, 2025 | 4.6" |
| Sun, Jan 25, 2026 | 4.1" |
| Fri, Jan 30, 2026 | 2.6" |
| Tue, Dec 30, 2025 | 1.6" |
Source: NOAA GHCN-Daily, station USW00094846.
Chicago school districts: where closings are announced
These districts make the official call for schools around Chicago. Their websites post closings and delays first:
Snow day chances near Chicago
| Place | Distance | Friday | Usually closes at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berwyn, IL | 5 mi | <1% | 5" |
| Elmwood Park, IL | 9 mi | 1% | 5" |
| Oak Lawn, IL | 9 mi | <1% | 5" |
| Blue Island, IL | 12 mi | 1% | 5" |
| Elmhurst, IL | 14 mi | <1% | 5" |
| Evanston, IL | 14 mi | <1% | 5" |
| Dolton, IL | 15 mi | 5% | 4" |
| Oak Forest, IL | 16 mi | 1% | 4" |
Snow day pages for other cities
Chicago snow day FAQ
Will Chicago schools close tomorrow?
Our current estimate for Chicago is <1% for a snow day and <1% for a delay on Friday, and <1% for a snow day on Monday. 0.2" of snow forecast overnight before Friday (8 pm–9 am). This is an estimate, not an announcement: check your district for the official decision.
How much snow does it take to close schools in Chicago?
Based on Chicago's normal snowfall of about 37 inches a year, our model puts the closing point at about 5" of snow falling overnight. Ice, heavy wet snow, timing during the morning commute and active winter storm warnings can lower that.
How much snow did Chicago get last winter?
NOAA's Chicago Ohare Intl. Airport station recorded 34.1 inches in the 2025–26 winter. The biggest single day was Nov 29, 2025 with 8.4 inches.
Where do Chicago schools announce snow days?
Each district posts closings and delays on its own website and alert system: Chicago Public Schools, School District U-46 (Elgin), Indian Prairie School District 204. Local TV stations also carry closing lists.