54 inches. Since the start of 2026, 54 inches of snow have fallen on Danbury, giving its citizens much to both cheer and complain about. Sleep schedules have simultaneously worsened and improved as adults complain about back pain from shovelling, while teenagers revel over the extra sleep from cancelled school. The January and February snowstorms have given Danbury High a very memorable winter and a season to remember. As the weather finally begins to warm up and the community transitions into spring, a recap of the hectic 2026 winter is definitely necessary.
On January 26th and 27th, Danbury Public Schools cancelled school for two consecutive days as Mother Nature graced the city with 15.5 inches of snow. Alana Da Silva, a senior at Danbury High, noted that the snow was a complete shock. “It’s so funny because I was in Costco right before it happened; I guessed maybe 13, but it just kept going up and up.” Da Silva reflected on her initial reaction to the snow, noting how “it was completely white when I woke up. I walked outside and couldn’t even step without it going halfway up my leg. I was extremely shocked but also happy, because who doesn’t like seeing snow?”
Of course, the shovelling experience is also a dreaded part of every snowstorm. Aimee Reutzel, an AP Environmental Science teacher at DHS, commented on how the texture of the snow impacted her experience. “I had to shovel all the sidewalks. It wasn’t as bad as it has been in the past because the snow [was] so light, but definitely still not my favorite activity.” As a teacher here for ten years, Reutzel also noted how she hasn’t seen a snowstorm this intense in a while. “I remember having this amount of snow before working here, but not in the ten years I’ve worked here. Definitely not in one go like this storm either.”
With Monday and Tuesday off, students also got the chance to enjoy an unplanned four-day weekend. “First of all, I was happier than ever,” Da Silva said about the extended break. “I just crocheted, drank a lot of cappuccino, and was very lazy — the laziest person that could ever exist.” Reutzel also saw the extended weekend in a positive light, recalling the calmness of it all: “It was so relaxing. I ended up baking — [I] made some banana bread and cookies. It was just so, so relaxing.”
When considering the opportunity of another snowstorm before the winter ends, Da Silva realized she would love more snow. “I don’t remember a single time ever that we’ve had two days in a row of snow days. So that was amazing. And especially with extending the weekend into four days; that was just so good.” Reutzel disagreed, feeling done with the snow already: “I’m good, I’ve hit my snow limit this year,” she said, laughing.
Ironically, Da Silva’s wish came true: Danbury High students received a five-day weekend from an intense snowstorm in the last week of February. On the morning of February 23, 18 inches of snow piled high on main roads and school parking lots, forcing another school cancellation. To the shock of all, the closures continued for Tuesday and Wednesday, as the city of Danbury worked to clear the roads and ensure the safety of everybody.
Julieta Diaz, an HBSA student and senior at Danbury High, said she was nowhere near prepared for the sheer amount of snow. “Yes, I knew it was a big snowstorm, but I wasn’t sure of how many inches because it was all over the place.” She added that the snow impacted her transportation to school and other places. “I couldn’t drive to school because my sister’s car was terrible in the snow, so I ended up having to take the bus.”
Abigale Eriksson, another senior at DHS, agreed with Diaz; adding, “I was prepared and did know the weather forecast for the storm. But honestly, it was still shocking to see the amount of snow we got – I remember thinking it was the most we had gotten in a very long time.” Eriksson also added that shovelling was definitely the most difficult part. “I did some shovelling, but my dad and brother did most of it; however, I did wake up with my back hurting really bad the next day. The five-day weekend was 100% worth any temporary pain though.”
Diaz and Eriksson both had very calm weekends. Diaz commented that her extended weekend activities consisted of “working, hanging out with family, and watching movies.” When asked about another storm, Diaz responded “yes and no — I love staying in, but now that I have a car, I want it to be everywhere and don’t want it to get dirty.” Eriksson “mostly slept and watched TV. I didn’t do a lot of schoolwork honestly; the relaxation was just too tempting.” She disagreed with Diaz’s opinion on another storm, arguing, “I wouldn’t want another snowstorm because that means school would be extended at the end of the year, and the ice would make things dangerous for everybody.”
Overall, these snowstorms will remain a memorable part of the DHS experience for all, especially for seniors preparing to graduate. The challenges of shovelling, the many mornings slept in, and the extra time spent relaxing will all be memories that Danbury High students will cherish as we head into the long month of March. As Diaz said: “This winter was insane, but I am so so ready for spring.”
