Will School Be Closed in Boston, Massachusetts?
Real-time probability that schools in Boston, Massachusetts will be cancelled tomorrow, based on live forecast data and local closure thresholds.
It's 78°F — no snow day expected.
Local Snow Day Guide
Boston, Massachusetts — Snow Day Facts
Historical patterns, infrastructure data, and what actually triggers school closures in Boston.
14
Snow Days / Year
44"
Avg Annual Snow
4:00 AM – 5:30 AM
Decision Time
Infrastructure
Typical Closure Threshold: 8–14+ inches
Boston receives an average of 44 inches of snow per year, giving it one of the highest natural snowfall totals of any major US city. BPS serves roughly 50,000 students. The superintendent makes the call in coordination with the MBTA (public transit) status, since many students commute by bus or subway.
Historical School Closure Patterns
Boston is one of the most snow-hardened cities in the country. The 2014–15 winter dumped over 110 inches of snow, setting an all-time record — schools closed repeatedly as the MBTA system itself collapsed. Typically, Boston Public Schools close 3–5 times per winter, almost always for storms exceeding 8 inches.
How Boston Makes the Decision
BPS decision-making heavily factors MBTA service status. If the T is not running normal service, it often triggers a school closure even if roads are passable. The decision is announced by 5:30 AM and distributed via the BPS website, automated calls, and WBZ 1030 AM.
Boston Snow Day Facts
- Boston averages 44 inches of snow per year — one of the highest in any major US city
- The 2014–15 season produced a record 110.6 inches in the metro area
- Boston deploys salt brine pre-treatment before storms begin
- School closures are called district-wide — suburban towns (Newton, Brookline, etc.) make independent decisions
- Wind chill below -10°F may trigger a delay even without snow accumulation
Ready to see tonight's real-time probability for Boston?
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Why schools in Boston close when they do
This page goes deeper on the local thresholds, official district sources, recent winter events, and the nearby cities that make a different call.
Local threshold
8–14+ inches
Boston receives an average of 44 inches of snow per year, giving it one of the highest natural snowfall totals of any major US city. BPS serves roughly 50,000 students. The superintendent makes the call in coordination with the MBTA (public transit) status, since many students commute by bus or subway.
Official districts
Forecast pages and district websites
Boston Public Schools
49,000 students · city
Nearby city contrast
Why nearby places may decide differently
Boston can wait longer on borderline calls than Cambridge
Boston runs a much larger urban operation, so transit dependencies, staffing, and the downstream cost of closure all push decision-makers to hold off unless the forecast clearly threatens the morning commute.
Boston can wait longer on borderline calls than Somerville
Boston runs a much larger urban operation, so transit dependencies, staffing, and the downstream cost of closure all push decision-makers to hold off unless the forecast clearly threatens the morning commute.
Boston can wait longer on borderline calls than Newton
Boston runs a much larger urban operation, so transit dependencies, staffing, and the downstream cost of closure all push decision-makers to hold off unless the forecast clearly threatens the morning commute.
Boston, Massachusetts school district
Per-district snow day probability
Nearby cities
Live forecasts within driving distance of Boston
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