University Monitoring Winter Weather and Travel Conditions for Monday, Jan. 10, and Tuesday, Jan. 11

Syracuse University is monitoring weather conditions pertaining to a Winter Weather Advisory, currently in place until 1 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, and a Wind Chill Advisory, which goes into effect tonight and is expected to remain in place through the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 11. This effort includes reviewing the most up-to-date National Weather Service data and forecasting, and consulting with an independent meteorologist about what to expect.

Based on the current forecast, the University expects to remain open and operational while these weather advisories remain in effect.

The latest information from the National Weather Service indicates there will be potentially significant lake effect snow depending on location, heavy snow squalls and wind chills that could get as low as 30 degrees below zero with wind gusts as high as 30 miles per hour. Combined, these conditions could cause bitter cold temperatures and significant blowing and drifting snow. As such, Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety is reminding students, faculty and staff about steps they can take to stay safe during this inclement weather, including:

• Dress to stay warm and dry, including wearing a hat, a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth; sleeves that are snug at the wrist; mittens (they are warmer than gloves); water-resistant coat and shoes; and several layers of loose-fitting clothing.
• Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.
• Avoid ice. Take the time to carefully walk around icy ground. Choose footwear that will enable you to “get a grip.”
• Be cautious about travel. Before driving, check for weather advisories. Avoid traveling on ice-covered roads if at all possible. If you must travel, try to travel with a friend, and take a cell phone with you.

Although Syracuse University rarely closes for inclement weather, individuals must make personal decisions based on a risk assessment related to travel. Employees are encouraged to take precautions and use good judgment when traveling to/from work. Faculty and staff concerned about their safety should contact their department chair or supervisor, respectively.

Any change in the University’s operating status will be announced via the University’s emergency broadcast notification system and will carry the notice SU WEATHER ALERT. Please be sure your Orange Alert settings are always up to date in MySlice.

SU WEATHER ALERT information will be announced via the following communications channels:

• via campus email;
• via text message;
• via a “crawl” on campus TV monitors and University websites;
• on Twitter: @SUCampus, @SyracuseUNews and @SyracuseDPS;
• on Facebook: @SUCampus, @SyracuseUniversityNews and @SyracuseDPS;
• on news.syr.edu and Syracuse.edu; and
• via Syracuse University public radio station WAER-FM/88.3 and other local media outlets.

Only Syracuse University’s Internal Communications and Media Relations teams are authorized to transmit to the news media and the campus community announcements about closings, work-schedule changes or class-start delays.

To learn more about winter weather preparedness, please visit the Department of Public Safety’s website.