What is a Snow Day, and why will there be no school for students on Monday in New York City? Check out the reason

Snow Day in NYC: School students in New York City will get a chance to enjoy the city's first snow day in nearly seven years, as there will be no school on Monday (February 23, 2026) for public school students. The announcement was most likely met with jubilation among children and trepidation among parents.

The city officials decided to cancel class entirely because of the severe forecast and also because students had been off for the past week for the regular midwinter recess, according to The New York Times.

The decision to shut schools came as a winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow and wind from Sunday night into Monday (February 23, 2026). After mulling whether to close school buildings but have students learn remotely, the city officials decided to cancel class entirely.


"We do not believe providing remote instruction tomorrow would be effective," Kamar Samuels, the schools chancellor, was quoted by The NYT as saying at a news conference on Sunday. He also noted that many schools have not had time to send devices home with students for remote instruction. He said canceling school "will also help us ensure that our staff and families who spent their break traveling are able to return home safely."

Nonessential travel would be banned on city streets, says Mamdani

Mayor Zohran Mamdani also announced Sunday that nonessential travel would be banned on city streets until noon Monday. Deciding when to call for a snow day can be a tricky proposition for city officials.

According to a news release from the NYC mayor's office, Mamdani also announced that all New York City public school buildings, except those operating as warming centers, will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23. There will be a traditional ‘snow day.’ No remote instruction will take place, and all after-school activities are cancelled.

State law requires New York City to have 180 instructional days, meaning that typically every unplanned day off must be made up later. “In coordination with the New York State Education Department, New York City has received a waiver from the 180-day instructional requirement to prioritize the safety of students, staff, and families," the release further stated.

Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, said having a snow day Monday was the "right decision."

Mamdani revealed the snow day news in a post on social media, in which he can be seen video calling an ecstatic Victoria Mompoint, an eighth grader at Meyer Levin School in Brooklyn, telling her school will be canceled.

What is a snow day?

A snow day is apparently a day when school closure is announced due to severe winter weather that makes travel unsafe for students, teachers, and school staff. Heavy snowfall, icy roads, and strong winds can create dangerous conditions, so schools are closed to ensure safety for everyone.