How Schools Determine If It’s a Snow Day Decision Process
Discover how schools assess weather conditions to decide on snow days
Halifax, Canada, Snow Day, Weather, School Closures
Halifax: When a snowstorm rolls in, everyone’s buzzing about whether school’s canceled. It’s a classic question that gets everyone on edge.
I chatted with Lindsey Bunin from the Halifax Regional Centre for Education. She shared how they make that big call.
So, here’s the scoop: they start gathering info at 4:30 a.m. on potential snow days. HRCE staff connect with a meteorologist from a private weather agency during a morning call.
They also check in with Environment Canada and The Weather Network to get the latest updates.
Plus, they reach out to local and provincial government contacts to see how the roads are looking. Safety is the top priority.
By 5:30 a.m., they get a recommendation for the regional executive director. Then, by 6 a.m., families start receiving emails about the decision.
Interestingly, there’s no set amount of snow that triggers a snow day. It really depends on how the weather affects road and sidewalk conditions.
Lindsey mentioned, “It’s all about making sure roads and sidewalks are clear enough for safe travel.”
And get this: there’s no cap on how many snow days can happen in a school year. They just go with the flow.
Typically, Halifax sees about 2-6 snow days each academic year. But it’s not just snow that can close schools; power outages and building issues can do the trick too.