David Sukhin is a MIT Student Obsessed With Data and Algorithms

David Sukhin is an MIT student and has been a brilliant mathematician since middle school. Today, he works as a data scientist for Snow Day Calculator, an online platform which accurately predicts snow days and delays for schools.

Sukhin’s calculator uses an algorithm he developed to analyze your zip code, school type (urban, rural or boarding), snow removal data and past weather patterns. Additionally, it receives automatic updates from the National Weather Service.

Early Life and Education

David Sukhin was already thinking about data and algorithms as a middle-school student in Watchung, New Jersey. His algorithm predicted whether his school would get snow days or not – and it has never been wrong. Now an undergraduate computer science student at MIT, Sukhin draws upon various sources such as the National Weather Service forecast, historical weather patterns and social media buzz to make his calculations.

Sukhin reports his website received up to 250,000 unique visitors during a recent storm. Many students and teachers return multiple times in hopes for better outcomes, even though Sukhin says meteorology isn’t his forte. His algorithm serves him both as an enjoyable hobby and will serve him well in his future career.

Professional Career

As a 2012 Pingry High School graduate, sukhin founded the Snow Day Calculator – an app and website that predicts when schools will be closed due to snow. He estimates his calculator has generated more than 6.2 million calculations so far. Furthermore, sukhin enjoys playing water polo and swimming for his university team. We called him from Watchung, NJ where he was babysitting his sister’s kids during a snow day.

Personal Life

Sukhin, a middle school geek who was fascinated with data and algorithms, is now studying computer science and business at MIT. He’s the creator of Snow Day Calculator – an online and mobile application that predicts school cancellations due to winter storms based on your zip code and various data points such as National Weather Service precipitation forecasts and historical records for snow days in your area.

Since 2006, Sukhin’s calculator has generated millions of calculations – almost always correct. He sells it for 99 cents and says his business has grown steadily over time. The MIT student said his calculator is now downloaded thousands of times during storms as users refresh it multiple times.