Snow Day in Utah? 2025 Salt Lake City School Closure Calculator & Forecast

Snow Day in Utah families, check here first: Your real-time Salt Lake City closure predictor, 2025 winter outlook, and safety guide updated hourly.  Snow Day in Utah decisions explained by local meteorologists and district officials.

LIVE DASHBOARD

Real-time data for the Wasatch Front

• Active Closures: No active closures reported at this time.
• Delay Status:
  • Jordan District: Normal Schedule
  • Canyons District: Normal Schedule
  • Granite District: Normal Schedule
  • Davis District: Normal Schedule
• Road Conditions:
  • I-15: Clear (Lehi to Downtown SLC)
  • I-80: Wet, Slushy in Parleys Canyon
  • I-215: Clear
• Current Snowfall:
  • Alta: 12″ (24hr)
  • SLC Valley: 3″ (24hr)
• Current Conditions: 18°F | Wind: 15 mph (NW)

📢 Official Sources: Always verify with your specific district.
Granite | Jordan | Canyons | Davis | Salt Lake City

A Teacher’s Guide to Utah Snow Days

As a Utah parent and former Granite District teacher with 12 Utah winters under my belt, I know the drill. It’s 9:00 PM. You’re watching the flakes pile up in Sugar House or Draper, refreshing the district website every five minutes. The question on everyone’s mind is the same: Will tomorrow bring the magic of a Snow Day in Utah, or just a chaotic, delayed commute?

The anticipation is real, but the confusion doesn’t have to be. We built this guide because we know that maybe is the worst answer when you’re trying to coordinate childcare or work schedules. This isn’t just a forecast; it’s your school closure calculator, safety checklist, and community resource designed to help you plan before the district text message wakes you up at 5:30 AM.

2025 Utah Winter Forecast: What to Expect

This year’s winter is shaping up to be a significant one for the Beehive State. Data from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center and the University of Utah’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences indicate a distinct pattern for the 2025 season.

La Niña Returns

The big weather driver this year is La Niña. For the Wasatch Front, this typically correlates with higher precipitation levels. Meteorologists are predicting snowfall totals 15–20% above average for Northern Utah. This means more powder days for skiers, but likely more hazardous driving mornings for commuters.

Peak Closure Risk Weeks

Based on historical data and current atmospheric modeling, the coldest and stormiest periods are expected to hit:

• Early January (Jan 6–10)
• Late February (Feb 17–21)

During these windows, the combination of heavy accumulation and bitter cold increases the likelihood of school disruptions significantly.

How Utah Decides: The Science Behind the Call

Ever wonder why schools stay open when your driveway is buried? The decision-making process is a complex matrix involving multiple agencies. It’s rarely just about the snow depth.

District officials typically start their day long before you do. Superintendents are on conference calls as early as 4:00 AM, assessing the following factors:

• UDOT Road Reports: The primary concern is bus safety. If main arteries are plowed but neighborhood streets (especially on the East Bench or in Draper) are impassable, buses cannot safely pick up students.
• National Weather Service Alerts: Severe winter storm warnings play a huge role.
• Temperature & Wind Chill: Snow isn’t the only enemy. If temps drop below 5°F or wind chills hit dangerous levels (-10°F), waiting at a bus stop becomes a health hazard.
• Timing: A storm starting at 4:00 AM is much worse for closures than one starting at 8:00 AM, as plows haven’t had time to clear the overnight accumulation.

The safety of our students is the only metric that matters. We would rather call a late start and be wrong than open on time and have a bus slide off the road, notes a former Jordan District transportation official.

School Closure Calculator

Disclaimer: This calculator is for planning purposes based on historical trends. Always check official sources.

Use the criteria below to estimate the likelihood of a closure or delay in your area.

1. District Location:

• Bench Location (East of I-15)? (Add 20% risk)
• Valley Floor? (Standard risk)

2. Current Snowfall (Overnight):

• 0-3 inches: Low risk of closure.
• 4-8 inches: Moderate risk (High chance of Late Start).
• 9+ inches: High risk of Closure or Virtual Day.

3. Road Status at 5:00 AM:

• Main roads clear, side streets slushy: Low risk.
• Main roads snow-packed/icy: High risk.

4. Morning Forecast:

• Storm ending before 6:00 AM: Crews usually clear it. (Low risk)
• Heavy snow continuing through 9:00 AM: High risk.

District-by-District Policies

Not all districts play by the same rules. Here is a breakdown of how the major Wasatch Front districts typically handle heavy weather.

Granite School District

Because it covers a massive area from the benches to the valley floor, Granite faces unique challenges. They generally close only if snowfall exceeds 6 inches across the district or if temperatures drop significantly below 10°F.

Jordan School District

Jordan has been a pioneer in the Virtual Day option. Instead of canceling school entirely, they may pivot to remote learning for extreme days, meaning students log in from home rather than missing a day of instruction.

Canyons School District

Covering the Sandy/Draper area near the mouths of the canyons, the Canyons District sees more snow than western districts. They utilize a Late Start protocol frequently to allow plows extra time to clear steep residential streets.

Safety & Preparedness Checklist

When the storm hits, safety is paramount. Utah winters are beautiful but unforgiving.

Driving Safety

UDOT often implements strict traction laws during storms, especially in the Cottonwood Canyons and Parleys Summit.

• Traction Law: You often need 4WD/AWD or chains/snow tires.
• Tire Tread: Ensure your tires have sufficient tread depth. Bald tires on I-15 are a recipe for disaster.

Protecting Your Home

Frozen pipes are a common and expensive issue in older Utah homes.

• Disconnect garden hoses.
• Keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F, even if you are away.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate pipes during extreme cold snaps.

Kid Safety

If school is open, make sure your kids are dressed for the wait. At 0°F with wind, frostbite can set in on exposed skin in under 30 minutes.

Snow Day Activities (When School is Out!)

If the Snow Day gods smile upon you, make the most of it!

• Free Fun: Sugar House Park and Liberty Park offer some of the best sledding hills in the city.
• Ski Discounts: Many local resorts offer locals’ discounts or student passes. A Tuesday powder day is the dream for many Utah families.
• Indoor Options: If it’s too cold to play, check out Thanksgiving Point or the Natural History Museum of Utah, both of which are fantastic for waiting out a storm.
• Educational Fun: The Utah Education Network (UEN) offers snow-day STEM projects to keep brains active even when classrooms are closed.

Historical Data & Trends

Curious how often this actually happens? Here is the closure count for the past 5 years.

• Salt Lake City School District: Average 1.5 closures/year.
• Park City School District: Average 4+ closures/year.
• Biggest Recent Snow Day: January 4, 2017. Bountiful received nearly 22 inches of snow overnight, shutting down almost every district north of Salt Lake.

Community & Culture

Utahns are uniquely prepared for winter. It’s part of our pioneer legacy. When storms hit, you’ll often see neighbors helping neighbors. LDS wards and community groups frequently organize volunteer shoveling brigades to help the elderly clear their driveways. It’s a reminder that while the Greatest Snow on Earth affects our commutes, it also brings our communities closer together.

Stay Safe and Warm

Whether you’re hoping for a day of sledding or praying for clear roads to get to work, preparation is key. Bookmark this page—we update closures in real-time as they occur.Share your snow day photos with us using #UTSnowDay2025!

Frequently Asked Questions