4 cities in Alberta
About snow days in Alberta
Prairie continental climate with cold, dry winters and occasional warm Chinook winds along the foothills. Alberta averages roughly 130 cm of snow per year.
Alberta school boards rarely close for snow alone. Extreme cold warnings below -40°C with wind chill and Chinook-related ice storms are the primary triggers. Calgary boards may close differently from Edmonton boards due to Chinook effects.
How school closure decisions work in Alberta
School boards in Alberta consider multiple factors when deciding whether to close, delay, or hold classes on a snow day. Beyond raw snowfall totals, administrators evaluate ice accumulation on roads and sidewalks, wind chill temperatures that affect students waiting at bus stops, the timing of the storm relative to morning and afternoon commutes, and whether road crews have had enough time to clear primary bus routes.
Most school boards make their announcements between 6 AM and 7 AM on the day of the event, though some issue closures the evening before when a major storm is certain. Bus cancellations are often announced separately and may occur even when schools technically remain open.
Select a city above to check tomorrow's school closure probability using current weather forecast data for that area. For the most accurate prediction, check after 6 PM the evening before a potential snow day, when weather models are most reliable.