# Snow days in Minneapolis

Source: https://calculatesnowday.com/states/minnesota/minneapolis

In Minneapolis, cold can close schools as well as snow, and after a few cancellation days Minneapolis Public Schools switches to e-learning. 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](https://calculatesnowday.com/about#editor). Updated 3 November 2026 for the 2026-27 school year. District plans change; check the district's own page.

## Snow in Minneapolis

The Twin Cities average 51.2 inches of snow a year (1991-2020, [Minnesota DNR](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/journal/twin-cities-normals-1991-2020-compared-1981-2010.html)). Cold is the other big factor: NWS Twin Cities issues an Extreme Cold Warning at -35°F for the metro ([NWS Twin Cities](https://www.weather.gov/mpx/winterpns1)).

## How Minneapolis schools announce closures

Minneapolis Public Schools decides on full-day building closures by 5:30 am. It switches to e-learning after three cancellation days for pre-K to grade 5 and after two for middle and high schools ([MPS severe weather](https://www.mpschools.org/about-mps/severe-weather); [MPS e-learning plan](https://www.mpschools.org/about-mps/severe-weather/e-learning-plan)). On March 16, 2026, for example, it called a severe weather day with no school for pre-K to grade 5 and e-learning for grades 6 to 12 ([MPS](https://www.mpschools.org/about-mps/news/news-details/~board/minneapolis-public-schools-news/post/severe-weather-day-for-march-16)).

## Reading the estimate in Minneapolis

Level 4 of 4: Snow belt: schools are well prepared

For a suburban public school in Minnesota, any one of these gives the model about an even chance of a closure on its own:

- **7.5 in** of snow from 6 pm to 8 am (snow between 4 and 8 am counts extra)
- **0.15 in** of ice from freezing rain, from the evening before to the end of the school day
- a wind chill of **-30°F** between midnight and 8 am

This is already the snowiest level, so elevation does not change it. These are model assumptions, not district rules. [How the snow levels work](https://calculatesnowday.com/how-it-works#snow-levels).

In the model, a wind chill near -30°F gives about an even chance of a closure from cold alone, and an Extreme Cold Warning adds weight. Minneapolis has used -35°F as its cold threshold ([MPR News, Jan 2023](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/01/30/how-cold-before-school-is-canceled-in-minnesota-all-depends-on-the-district)), so on a dry, cold morning the estimate can run a little high.

## Questions and answers

### When does Minneapolis Public Schools use e-learning?

After three cancellation days for pre-K to grade 5 and after two for middle and high schools ([MPS](https://www.mpschools.org/about-mps/severe-weather)).

### How cold does it have to be to cancel school in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis Public Schools has considered an e-learning day when the next morning's wind chill forecast is -35°F or colder ([MPR News, Jan 2023](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/01/30/how-cold-before-school-is-canceled-in-minnesota-all-depends-on-the-district)).

### Is the Minneapolis 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](https://calculatesnowday.com/how-it-works#accuracy).

More about [snow days in Minnesota](https://calculatesnowday.com/states/minnesota). For what closes schools anywhere, read [how much snow it takes](https://calculatesnowday.com/guides/how-much-snow-to-cancel-school) and [how cold it has to be](https://calculatesnowday.com/guides/how-cold-to-cancel-school).