Learn how to stay informed as Elon University officials actively monitor a Jan. 30-Feb. 1 forecast calling for the region's second major snowstorm in as many weekends.
FRIDAY, JAN. 30, at 10:50 a.m.
Message from Vice President Jon Dooley to the Elon University community
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
- Winter Storm Warning in effect Friday evening, January 30 through Sunday morning, February 1.
- University offices to close at 3 p.m. today and parking restrictions announced for this evening through Sunday.
Forecasters are calling for another round of winter weather headed our way and the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Central North Carolina (including the Elon/Greensboro area) and the Charlotte area from 4 p.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Sunday.
The storm will develop off the coast and snow is expected for all of central North Carolina. The forecast models are still being refined, but as of this morning, the heaviest snowfalls are expected during the day and evening on Saturday. Current estimates for total snowfall amount are 4-7” in the Triad (including Elon and Greensboro) and the Charlotte area, with narrow bands of locally higher snowfall amounts possible with this storm. Because new snow will be added on top of existing ice and snow remaining from last weekend, the storm could lead more quickly to hazardous driving conditions, widespread road closures or transportation disruptions, and power outages.
We are monitoring the forecast and are already preparing the campus for this next round of weather, even as we continue clean-up from last weekend. Students, faculty, and staff should make personal preparations now, including careful review of the university Emergency & Severe Weather Resources and “Power Outage Tips” in the campus Emergency Response Guide.
Please make note of additional important information:
University Offices to Close at 3 p.m. Friday
To provide employees with an early start on their commute and time for their storm preparations, university offices will close at 3 p.m. today. Essential personnel listed in the university’s Severe Weather Guide should check with their supervisor about expectations for campus services this evening.
Parking Restrictions Beginning at 4 p.m. Friday
So that crews from Facilities Management can clear as much ice and snow as possible off parking lot surfaces before and after this next round of snow, please move cars out of the following lots by 4 p.m. Friday, January 30. No parking will be allowed in these lots through 5 p.m. Sunday, February 1:
- Inman Admissions Lot
- Innovation Quad Lot
- Koury Athletic Center Lot
- Lindner Hall Lot
- McMichael Hall Lot
- Oaks Parking Lot – faculty/staff and visitor spaces must be cleared; Oaks residents with an OK tag can still park in the student spaces in the Oaks Lot
Adjusted Basketball Game Start Times Friday and Saturday
- The Elon women’s basketball team takes on College of Charleston at the Schar Center Friday, January 30. Tip off has been moved to 6 p.m. to accommodate visiting team travel after the game.
- On Saturday, January 31, the men’s basketball game will be moved from 7 p.m. to 12 noon as the Phoenix host Stony Brook in the Schar Center.
Impact to Weekend Events and Campus Operations
If the storm materializes as projected, we anticipate there could be some disruption to weekend activities, including the men’s and women’s basketball games, the hours of campus facilities and services (such as Moseley Center, Campus Recreation, Belk Library, and Elon Dining), and student organization events. We will communicate any planned changes by email, starting with this afternoon’s storm update message.
Communication Plans
As we did with last weekend’s winter weather, we will inform the university community about any campus impact through the following sources:
- A daily late-afternoon email update
- Updates to a storm-related Today at Elon story
- E-Alert text message (for short emergency messages) – Sign up or verify your registration online here.
- Elon social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram.
Our next email message, with an updated forecast and anticipated impact to campus services and events, will be sent later this afternoon.
–
Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life