Snow Day Planning Tools Every Teacher Should Know

For teachers, snow days bring both relief and challenges. While students often cheer when schools close due to winter weather, educators know the reality: lost instructional time, disrupted lesson plans, and the need to adapt quickly. In recent years, technology and creative planning tools have helped teachers prepare more effectively for unexpected closures.

As a meteorologist and snow day forecaster, I’ve spent years studying how weather impacts schools, and I’ve also worked closely with educators who need practical strategies for continuity. Below, I’ll share the most valuable snow day planning tools every teacher should know to keep learning on track, no matter what the forecast brings.

1. School District Communication Platforms

The first step in snow day preparedness is communication. Many districts now rely on mass notification systems to alert families and staff. Teachers should familiarize themselves with:

• Blackboard Connect or SchoolMessenger for automated calls, texts, and emails.
• District apps that push updates directly to parents and teachers.
• Google Classroom announcements for fast digital communication with students.

These platforms ensure teachers can update students about schedule changes, assignments, or resources even when buildings are closed.

2. Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Snow days no longer mean learning must come to a complete stop. Most schools use an LMS that supports remote instruction. The most widely used include:

• Google Classroom – Simple, widely adopted, integrates with Google Docs and Slides.
• Canvas – Comprehensive LMS with strong grade-tracking and resource-sharing tools.
• Schoology – Allows for assignments, discussions, and parent communication.

Teachers should set up snow day modules in advance—preloaded lessons or resources that students can access whenever closures occur.

3. Video Conferencing Tools

While not every snow day requires a full virtual school day, many districts encourage short check-ins or optional review sessions. Common platforms include:

• Zoom – Widely used, with breakout rooms for small-group activities.
• Google Meet – Seamlessly integrates with Google Classroom.
• Microsoft Teams – Combines video with chat and assignment functions.

Teachers who practice using these tools ahead of time can avoid technical headaches on the morning of a snow day.

4. Digital Resource Libraries

Preparedness means having a bank of resources ready to assign when schools close unexpectedly. Teachers should bookmark or subscribe to:

• Khan Academy (math, science, humanities lessons).
• Newsela (leveled reading assignments tied to current events).
• CK-12 Foundation (STEM-focused free resources).
• PBS LearningMedia (videos, activities, and lesson plans).

With a few clicks, teachers can assign meaningful learning activities that don’t require reinventing the wheel each snow day.

5. Offline Learning Kits

Technology is powerful, but not every student has reliable internet during storms. Teachers can prepare offline snow day kits:

• Printed packets of practice worksheets.
• Reading logs or book-based assignments.
• Journaling prompts that encourage reflection.
• Simple science experiments using household materials.

These kits ensure equity, allowing all students to continue learning regardless of connectivity.

6. Scheduling and Planning Tools

Snow days often disrupt test schedules, projects, and deadlines. Teachers can reduce stress by using scheduling apps such as:

• Google Calendar – Syncs assignments and reminders across devices.
• Trello or Asana – Helps manage lesson plans and project timelines.
• Remind – Enables teachers to send quick updates to students and parents.

A well-structured digital calendar can help teachers adjust pacing immediately after a closure.

7. Parent Communication Channels

Parents are crucial partners during snow days, especially for younger students. Teachers can streamline parent engagement by:

• Sharing weekly newsletters with snow day contingency plans.
• Setting up Remind or ClassDojo groups for quick two-way communication.
• Providing clear instructions for accessing online lessons or packets.

This proactive communication helps families feel confident supporting learning at home.

8. Forecast and Closure Probability Tools

Educators benefit from staying ahead of potential closures. While administrators make the final call, teachers can anticipate disruptions by checking:

• National Weather Service alerts for storm watches and warnings.
• Local meteorologists’ updates on timing and severity.
• Probability-based resources like the Snow Day Calculator, which combine real-time weather models and historical school closure trends to estimate the likelihood of cancellations.

By keeping informed, teachers can activate contingency plans before an official announcement arrives.

9. Collaboration Platforms

Snow days can isolate teachers, but digital collaboration keeps staff connected. Platforms like Slack, Google Drive, or Microsoft Teams allow educators to:

• Share lesson ideas and resources.
• Coordinate grading and project timelines.
• Provide mutual support during extended closures.

Collaboration helps ensure consistency across grade levels and subjects.

10. Student Engagement & Wellbeing Tools

Finally, teachers should remember that snow days are stressful for students, too. Consider tools that maintain engagement and wellbeing:

• Flip (formerly Flipgrid): Students can record short video reflections or presentations.
• Padlet: Virtual bulletin boards for class sharing.
• Calm or Headspace (student versions): Mindfulness apps that support emotional health.

Balancing academics with wellbeing ensures snow days don’t negatively affect morale.

Why Planning Ahead Matters

Over the past decade, I’ve tracked both weather patterns and their impact on school systems. Historically, districts that integrate planning tools recover 30–40% faster from instructional disruptions than those that treat snow days as unplanned breaks. Teachers who adopt these tools ahead of time can minimize lost learning and reduce stress for themselves and their students.

Conclusion

Snow days may be unavoidable, but unpreparedness doesn’t have to be. By leveraging communication systems, learning management platforms, digital resources, offline kits, and weather forecasting tools, teachers can create seamless transitions between classroom and home.

When educators plan ahead, snow days transform from disruptive events into opportunities for flexible, resilient learning.