diff --git a/xarray/tests/test_backends.py b/xarray/tests/test_backends.py
index d01cfd7ff55..b31b9011664 100644
--- a/xarray/tests/test_backends.py
+++ b/xarray/tests/test_backends.py
@@ -2945,6 +2945,10 @@ def create_zarr_target(self):
 
 
 @requires_zarr
+@pytest.mark.skipif(
+    ON_WINDOWS,
+    reason="Very flaky on Windows CI. Can re-enable assuming it starts consistently passing.",
+)
 class TestZarrDirectoryStore(ZarrBase):
     @contextlib.contextmanager
     def create_zarr_target(self):