Question 1

What is Backyard Closures?

Accepted Answer

Backyard Closures is an AI-powered school closure prediction service. We analyze weather data from the National Weather Service, historical closure patterns, and district-specific factors to predict the likelihood of school closures up to 5 days in advance.

Question 2

How accurate are your predictions?

Accepted Answer

Our predictions are based on real-time weather data, NWS alerts, and historical patterns. While no prediction system is 100% accurate, we provide probability percentages so you can make informed decisions. Higher probabilities (50%+) indicate a stronger likelihood of closure.

Question 3

Which school districts do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We cover over 13,000 school districts across all 50 US states. You can search for your district on our forecast map or by name. If you can't find your district, contact us and we'll add it.

Question 4

Is there a free version?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our free tier gives you access to the 5-day forecast map, basic district predictions, and weather alerts. Premium subscribers get email/SMS alerts, extended forecasts, and priority notifications.

Question 5

What weather factors do you consider?

Accepted Answer

We analyze multiple data sources including: NWS weather alerts (Winter Storm Warnings, Blizzard Warnings, etc.), Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI), snowfall accumulation forecasts, temperature extremes, ice and freezing rain predictions, flood watches/warnings, and fire weather outlooks.

Question 6

How often are predictions updated?

Accepted Answer

Our prediction system runs multiple times daily, typically every 4-6 hours. When severe weather is approaching, updates may be more frequent. The forecast map always shows the latest available data.

Question 7

What do the probability percentages mean?

Accepted Answer

We use four categories: Unlikely (0-10%), Possible (10-25%), Likely (25-50%), and Very Likely (50%+). These represent our AI's confidence that a closure will occur based on current weather forecasts and historical patterns.

Question 8

Why does my district show 0% when there's a storm coming?

Accepted Answer

Predictions for days 4-5 may show lower probabilities because weather forecasts become less certain further out. As the storm approaches, probabilities will update. Also, some areas may have districts that historically stay open during weather that closes others.

Question 9

Do you predict delays as well as closures?

Accepted Answer

Currently we focus on full-day closures and significant disruptions. Two-hour delays often have the same underlying causes as closures, so a high probability may indicate either outcome depending on severity.

Question 10

What's included in the Premium subscription?

Accepted Answer

Premium includes: email and SMS alerts for your saved districts, notifications 12-48 hours before predicted closures, access to detailed district analytics, up to 10 saved districts, and priority customer support.

Question 11

Can I cancel my subscription anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can cancel anytime from your account page. Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing period. We don't offer refunds for partial months.

Question 12

Do you offer family or group plans?

Accepted Answer

Our Premium plan supports up to 10 districts, which is usually enough for families with children in different schools. For larger organizations (school districts, bus companies), contact us about enterprise pricing.

Question 13

Is my payment information secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We use Stripe for payment processing, which is PCI-DSS Level 1 certified. We never store your full credit card number on our servers.

Question 14

What browsers do you support?

Accepted Answer

Backyard Closures works on all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For the best experience, we recommend keeping your browser updated to the latest version.

Question 15

Is there a mobile app?

Accepted Answer

We offer a Progressive Web App (PWA) that works like a native app. On your phone, visit our website and tap "Add to Home Screen" in your browser menu. You'll get an app-like experience with push notifications.

Question 16

Why isn't the map loading?

Accepted Answer

The map requires JavaScript and WebGL. Try: 1) Refreshing the page, 2) Disabling ad blockers for our site, 3) Using a different browser, or 4) Checking your internet connection. If issues persist, contact support.

Question 17

How do push notifications work?

Accepted Answer

When you enable notifications (Premium feature), we'll send alerts to your device when your saved districts have elevated closure risk. Make sure notifications are enabled in your browser and device settings.

Question 18

Where does your weather data come from?

Accepted Answer

We use official data from the National Weather Service (NWS), including their API for alerts, forecasts, and the Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI). We also incorporate data from the Storm Prediction Center for severe weather outlooks.

Question 19

Do you share my data with third parties?

Accepted Answer

We don't sell your personal information. We use analytics to improve our service and may share anonymized, aggregate data. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.

Question 20

How can I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

You can delete your account from the Account Settings page. This will remove all your saved districts, alert preferences, and personal data. Subscription cancellation is separate from account deletion.

Question 21

I didn't receive my verification email

Accepted Answer

Check your spam/junk folder first. Verification emails are sent from noreply@backyardclosures.com. If you still don't see it, try resending from the login page or contact support.

Question 22

My district shows the wrong location on the map

Accepted Answer

District boundaries come from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). If there's an error, please contact us with the correct information and we'll investigate.

Question 23

The prediction doesn't match what my district announced

Accepted Answer

School closure decisions involve many factors beyond weather, including road conditions, staff availability, and superintendent judgment. Our predictions are probabilities, not guarantees. We're constantly improving our models.

Question 24

I'm a school administrator. How can my district use Backyard Closures?

Accepted Answer

We'd love to work with you! School districts can use our service to help communicate potential closures to parents earlier, giving families more time to prepare. We offer free accounts for district administrators and can customize alerts for your community. Contact us at support@backyardclosures.com to get started.

Question 25

Can our district send you our closure announcements directly?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We want to display the most accurate, real-time information possible. If your district would like to send us delay and closure announcements directly, we'll prioritize displaying your official decisions. This helps parents in your community get accurate information faster. Email us at support@backyardclosures.com to set up a direct feed.

Question 26

How can we improve prediction accuracy for our district?

Accepted Answer

We're always looking to improve! If you notice our predictions don't match your district's patterns, let us know. Factors like your district's closure policies, geographic considerations, or historical tendencies can help us fine-tune our models. Reach out to support@backyardclosures.com with any insights.

Question 27

Do you offer enterprise or district-wide solutions?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We offer custom solutions for school districts, including: API access for integration with your website or app, bulk notification tools for district-wide alerts, custom branding options, and dedicated support. Contact us at support@backyardclosures.com to discuss your needs.

Question 28

How do we get started as a school district?

Accepted Answer

Getting started is easy! Reach out to us at support@backyardclosures.com and we'll schedule a quick call to understand your district's needs. We offer flexible solutions based on district size and requirements, from simple closure reporting to full API integrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Predictions & Alerts

Subscriptions & Billing

Technical Questions

Data & Privacy

Troubleshooting

For School Districts

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