Upper Midwest Snow Day & Cold Day Predictions
In the Upper Midwest, the cold can close schools as often as the snow does. Districts here handle snow routinely, but when wind chills drop far below zero, students waiting for buses face frostbite risk in minutes. Open terrain also means wind can turn a modest snowfall into a blizzard with drifted rural roads.
Live odds: Upper Midwest districts
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Cold-day closures
Many Upper Midwest districts consider closing when morning wind chills reach roughly −30°F to −40°F; exact policies vary. SnowCall treats extreme cold as its own closure path, independent of snowfall, using the lowest forecast wind chill between 5 and 8 AM.
Wind matters more than totals
Four inches of light, dry snow with 40 mph gusts can close rural roads that would be fine with twelve inches of calm snowfall. When gusts reach 35 mph during snow, the model boosts the effective snowfall for blowing and drifting.
Rural vs. city districts
Rural districts with long gravel bus routes often close when city districts stay open. Set the "Area type" option to Rural if that describes your district.
Upper Midwest district guides
- Minneapolis Public Schools — Minneapolis, MN
- Saint Paul Public Schools — Saint Paul, MN
- Madison Metropolitan School District — Madison, WI
- Des Moines Public Schools — Des Moines, IA
- Omaha Public Schools — Omaha, NE
See also: how much snow closes school in different climates · compare these districts.
Frequently asked questions
How cold does it have to be for school to close in Minnesota?
There is no single statewide rule; districts decide. The model's cold-closure line for the region is about −35°F wind chill, with odds rising as forecasts get colder.
Does SnowCall predict late starts for cold?
Yes. Delay odds include a cold component that rises before closure odds do.