Snow days in Chicago
Chicago Public Schools rarely closes for weather and decides for the whole city at once; in January 2026 it closed for severe cold. Enter a school's ZIP code below to see the chance of a closure or late start from the latest National Weather Service forecast. The number is an estimate; the district makes the call.
By Muhammad Shakeel. Updated 3 November 2026 for the 2026-27 school year. District plans change; check the district's own page.
Snow in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare averages 38.4 inches of snow a year (1991-2020, NWS Chicago). Lake Michigan can add more near the shore: in January 2026, lake enhancement gave parts of Cook County near the lake about 10 inches (NWS Chicago).
How Chicago schools announce closures
Chicago Public Schools may cancel classes when heavy snow or extreme cold makes getting to school dangerous, and tells families by email, text and robocall as soon as it decides (CPS weather guidelines). Closures are rare: CPS closed for severe cold on January 23, 2026 without offering remote learning (Chalkbeat Chicago), and before that its last closure for cold was January 16, 2024 (WBEZ).
Reading the estimate in Chicago
Level 3 of 4: Snow every winter
For a suburban public school in Illinois, any one of these gives the model about an even chance of a closure on its own:
- 5 in of snow from 6 pm to 8 am (snow between 4 and 8 am counts extra)
- 0.1 in of ice from freezing rain, from the evening before to the end of the school day
- a wind chill of -20°F between midnight and 8 am
Places whose forecast grid point is above 1,800 m (about 5,900 ft) move up one level. These are model assumptions, not district rules. How the snow levels work.
Chicago Public Schools decides for the whole city at once, while suburban districts decide separately. If you choose "Public school, city", the model lowers the estimate a little, assuming shorter bus routes.
Questions and answers
How often does Chicago Public Schools close for weather?
Rarely. Before the January 23, 2026 cold closure, its last closure for cold was January 16, 2024 (WBEZ).
How much snow does Chicago get?
O'Hare averages 38.4 inches a year, based on 1991-2020 (NWS Chicago).
Is the Chicago snow day estimate an official closure notice?
No. It is an estimate from the National Weather Service forecast. Only the school district can close schools, so check its announcement before changing your plans. How accurate the estimate is.
More about snow days in Illinois. For what closes schools anywhere, read how much snow it takes and how cold it has to be.