Campus prepares for new winter storm
3:30 p.m. Tuesday update: The UW–Madison campus continues to prepare for a major winter storm, with snow and blizzard-like conditions expected through Wednesday, Feb. 2.
Students, faculty, staff and visitors are encouraged to use caution coming to or from campus.
UW-Madison is open for business and classes are being held as scheduled. Any changes to campus operations will be announced on TV, radio, via social media and the university home page.
This week’s forecasted snowstorm has led campus officials to declare a Snow Action Day for Tuesday, Feb. 1 and Wednesday, Feb. 2.
A Snow Action Day is part of UW–Madison’s plan for dealing with snow clearance, one aimed at making the campus easy and safe to navigate for everyone.
In snowy conditions, crews will first clear accessible entrances and pathways, enabling everyone, including people with disabilities, to enter and exit buildings and move around campus more easily.
Also, winter parking regulations aimed at helping snow removal efforts are in effect. For more details click here.
If you have information about campus event cancellations, email chancellor@news.wisc.edu with specific details of the changes. See a current list of changes and cancellations.
Blizzard-like conditions – heavy snow, winds, and blowing and drifting snow – will make for dangerous traveling conditions tonight through Wednesday. Reduced visibilities and snow covered, drifted roads are expected.
Students, faculty and staff should review the following snow-related policies:
- Students who feel it is unsafe to travel to campus should contact their professors or teaching assistants about making up missed class time. Professors and teaching assistants are asked to be flexible in dealing with student requests.
- Employees are advised to use their own discretion regarding their health and safety and that of their family members, but they are required to use appropriate leave (i.e., vacation, personal holiday, furlough, etc.) or arrange to make up time to cover any absences. Unit practices for employee absences should be followed. Supervisors are advised to be flexible, if operationally possible, in their approval of employee-requested leave in inclement weather situations.
For information on winter accessibility, visit a site created by the McBurney Disability Resource Center.
For up-to-date forecast information, visit the National Weather Service forecast page here.
Additional resources:
Wisconsin Department of Transportation Road Conditions
Madison Metro Transit Information