Winter is winding down and it's unseasonably warm across the U.S. We know the chances are slim, but is it too much to ask for a twist of fate and one last snow day? 

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Nothing brings students -- and teachers for that matter -- more joy than the occasional snow-related cancellation. Once that news arrives, we go on the same emotional roller coaster together. Hope, relief, sheer bliss. And that's just the first hour. 

Snow days are one of the most memorable events of academia because they involve precisely the lack of. Suddenly anything is possible. Snowball fights, forts, hours and hours of obscure daytime television -- anything but schoolwork. 

Here are the phases we all go through when that destined snow day comes. Maybe with a little hope, we can relive it one more time this winter.

A Glimmer of Hope

Sure, there was some buzz at school yesterday, and the forecasts last night looked promising, but you didn't get your hopes up. You've been let down before. But when you woke up this morning the snow was still falling. This is a good sign. 

According to our meteorologists, if snow is still falling the morning of school, there's a better chance it will be called off. That's because snow that continues to fall is harder to plow. Suddenly, this pipe dream seems possible.

#WeMadeIt

Has the impossible happened? You wake up to either the email -- or announcement from your slightly less excited parents -- you've been waiting for. It's a snow day. That means it's time to celebrate and prepare a heavily scrutinized itinerary for the heavenly day ahead. 

Coming To Terms

You need to face an important fact right now: You aren't going to get any schoolwork done today. "The Scarlet Letter" has to wait. Today is too special.

Time To Frolic

You exit your front door to a scene of powdery bliss. Your street looks a snow globe come to life. It's calm and quiet, and no cars are on the road since the streets haven't been plowed. The snow is as soft and even-coated as white frosting. This is the time to relish in your snow day with your neighbors, jumping around in cheer and catching them off-guard with the occasional snowball. 

#Slay...err #Sleigh

The perfect snow day is not complete without sledding down the tallest hill in town at full speed. You can race your friends or even try to break your own record time. There's no wrong way to sled. 

Brew Up Some Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate is another snow day essential. A generic brand is fine, as long as you use milk instead of water and boil it in a pot instead of using the microwave. Also, an overdose on marshmallows is mandatory. Sorry, those are just the rules. 

Watch Some Daytime TV

Snow days are the best time to catch up on the shows you haven't seen because they only play them during the day. Whether it be a soap opera you've suddenly found yourself connecting with or six hours of a courtroom reality show -- it doesn't matter. As long as it's so bad it's good. 

Reflection

You did it; the perfect snow day. Tomorrow, when you go back to school and return to your normal routine, you can look back and know you made the most of this truly special occasion. This will probably be the last snow day until next year. But still, anything can happen...

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