It’s cold and windy here, and will be really cold and windy tomorrow. I don’t like it when the high for the day is still below zero.
I wiped out on the ice this morning when taking the dog on his walk. It’s hard enough to see black ice during the daylight, but impossible in the dark. My elbow took the brunt of the fall, but I also hit my head and have a wicked headache now. I am so ready for spring!
@rosered55 I was watching a news story on TV last night and they gave tips on how college students could survive walking on campus during the polar vortex. Along with the common-sense tips of layering, etc., they suggested that students not … breathe. I’m not sure how they think that’s a viable solution.
^^Oh no!!! Our walks are a sheet of ice too - like sheet of ice! I found myself having to walk on the edge of the snow in yards to stay upright while on my short pup walk - it’s a “do your business” and turn around walks these next couple of days!
@C3Baker, that sounds nasty. You should probably call your doctor as you might have a concussion.
Don’t hold your breath. U of M is infamous for not closing campus or cancelling classes.Although I just heard that they’re “monitoring the situation” and will have an announcement later today.
Supposed to be -40 and below with windchill in W Lafayette tomorrow and Purdue hasn’t canceled classes. I am pretty pissed - the school shouldn’t celebrate their stoicism at the expense of the students’ safety. My D has to walk everywhere. Grrr.
Yesterday Iowa State University announced that the university was closed tomorrow. Early this morning they closed the university today until noon Thursday. Only “essential” personnel to report.
Now I feel bad for laughing when one of my grad students asked if we are going to close tomorrow due to cold weather.
I have lived in Michigan my entire life, and I have skied for hours in subzero temperatures. I wouldn’t ski in the cold we are supposed to have tomorrow/Thursday, but I understand how to dress for the weather in order to walk from point A to point B. I get that kids (who aren’t always sent out properly dressed) need to be protected from walking to school or waiting at a bus stop in such cold weather, but adult students … really?! I don’t get it.
The “don’t breathe” admonitions I saw today were followed with advice … cover your mouth with a scarf.
I would also say in regards to college students…they should also use common sense if possible for their situation…only have one class that’s a five minute walk? - you can bundle up and make it. Have a class across campus that isn’t critical? - maybe skip it - as an adult you have to learn to make decisions for your own health and well being - other adults don’t always make the right decisions for you!!!
We were having a conversation this morning here at work (a midwest mid-sized university) about how they have cancelled classes Weds/Thurs but all staff are still to report. Someone said, “well, they probably are worried that the students won’t make good dressing decisions like us adults would” .
Last I checked college students ARE young adults and certainly capable of figuring out how to dress for the cold occasion. Point being, if it’s dangerous for students, it’s dangerous for the rest of staff that has to park in a garage and walk across campus. Also, point being, college students should be considered adults!!
UW-Madison is closing tomorrow and Thursday morning. This almost never happens.
Michigan State did decide to close today
My kid went to a school that is very cold and very snowy. (Michigan Tech for all of you northern people). The only time they closed when my kid went there was when they had a freak late spring storm and had changed all the plows and snow removal equipment. They are closed tomorrow.
My feeling about universities and businesses closing. Most every employee has a car and drives to a close parking spot. When the university is closed tomorrow, they’ll probably be able to park very close. Many college students don’t have cars and live close to campus but not as close as the parking lot. My one kid walked a half mile to campus. His campus was pretty compact but bigger schools, you could be walking 20 minutes outside to your next class. There isn’t usually an option to drive from class location to class location as anyone who has tried to find parking can attest to.
Besides if there is a fatality because of the cold, the university will be sued and will be open to a host of criticism. In this litigious time we live in, I am sure no one wants to expose themselves to that.
There is also the chance that the city/county has encouraged them to close in order to help out the first responders. The fewer people out and about, the fewer people the first responders may need to help. It also helps the first responders help in accidents or other situations faster if there are fewer pedestrians or drivers out.
We aren’t supposed to get the bitter cold until Thursday morning.
School dismissed early where I am today…but just a few districts. It started snowing pretty big flakes about 30 minute ago. Roads are already covered. I’m glad to be home.
This snow isn’t supposed to amount to much here…maybe 4 inches…and it will be all done by 3 a.m. If I were guessing, I would say that tomorrow will be a full day of school.
Thursday morning, windchills are supposed to be well below zero. Last week when that happened, we had a late opening.
Deleted. News may have been fake.
When I was a student there in the mid eighties, they closed school due to cold. I think it was a minus thirty windchill.
My brother (who is in the northern Chicago suburbs) just posted this school closing video from Michigan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWoxREYRJM8&feature=youtu.be
How weird is this?! UMichigan (“we never close”) just cancelled classes for Wednesday and Thursday - and all “non-critical services and operations” are also cancelled.
I recall walking to Montana State U during a blizzard with my econ prof BF who was teaching the class in 1980. No one showed up, even though MSU refused to close the school and cancel class. It was a long walk both directions. ??
@kelsmom, it looks like Ann Arbor may see windchill fall to minus 45 degrees. At that temp, frostbite can occur in just 10 minutes. Many kids have a longer walk to class then 10 minutes. I don’t even think it’s a close call.