Ready for Winter Weather? Learn How TCC Makes Snow Day Decisions.

With temperatures likely to drop to record lows this weekend and plenty of uncertainty about if, when, and how much snow is going to fall on the South Sound, it’s a good to know how TCC makes decisions about snow days.

Sign up for TCC Alerts

Want to get a text and/or email if there will be a snow delay or closure? Sign up for TCC Alerts. If you’re a student or employee who signed up for TCC Alerts a few years ago, check to make sure your registration is still active.

How does TCC decide when it’s time to close campus or delay opening?

Weather and weather forecasts can change quickly, and TCC students and employees live in many different school districts. So, when we decide what to do on a snow day, we know that it probably won’t be a perfect decision for everyone. When snow is in the forecast, we keep a close eye on the weather. Occasionally snow will start when school is in session and we’ll have to close the college during the day, but normally we make the decision about whether to close or have a delayed start very early the morning. Our goal is to communicate that decision before 6 a.m. so that everyone has time to make plans for the day.

Things we consider when deciding whether to close a campus or delay opening include: 

• The National Weather Service forecast for Tacoma and the South Sound.
• Snow closure or delay decisions made by the Tacoma School District, the Peninsula School District, and other nearby school districts, colleges and universities.
• Snow and ice conditions on local roadways.
• Snow and ice conditions on TCC parking lots and walkways.

How does TCC communicate a snow day decision?

TCC communicates through TCC alerts, student and employee emails, website banner, social media, and announcements to local media.