Salisbury University Reopens January 6

Friday January 5, 2018

Winter weather advisory Friday, January 5, 3:30 p.m.

Salisbury University reopens Saturday, January 6. All activities shall resume as scheduled. Students, faculty, staff and visitors are urged to continue to use caution when traveling. Many roads leading to campus are not in optimal condition. On campus, cleanup crews have diligently worked to clear and prepare parking lots and sidewalks, however the utmost care is still needed. Do not travel unless necessary, and use all safety precautions when you do.

Please continue to monitor the local media and the SU website, Facebook and Twitter pages for any updates. For the latest about the weather online, visit the National Weather Service website at www.noaa.gov and the Weather Channel at www.weather.com.

Thursday, January 4, 3:15 p.m.

SALISBURY, MD---The National Weather Service (NWS) has extended the blizzard warning for Winter Storm Grayson in Wicomico County and surrounding areas until 6 p.m. Thursday, January 4.

Salisbury University will remain closed on Friday, January 5. Essential personnel will be expected to report as required.

A wind chill advisory has been issued from 10 p.m. Thursday through 10 a.m. Friday. Wind chills, forecasted to be as low as -10 degrees, can cause frostbite to exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, according to the NWS.

An additional 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected through this afternoon. Strong winds with whiteout conditions and potentially icy roads are expected to continue, making travel difficult to impossible.

Thursday, January 4, 1:10 p.m.

SALISBURY, MD---Due to the continuing blizzard conditions and high winds, Salisbury University will remain closed on Friday, January 5. Essential personnel will be expected to report as required.

Wednesday, January 3, 3:45 p.m.

SALISBURY, MD---The National Weather Service has upgraded Winter Storm Grayson to a blizzard warning for Wicomico County and surrounding areas from 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 3 to 1 p.m. Thursday, January 4.

Between 6 and 10 inches of snow are now forecast throughout the region, with local accumulation up to 12 inches. Wind gusts up to 50 mph are expected, creating whiteout conditions and significant snow drifts. Please see the update below for additional specifics and safety tips from the NWS.

A warning is issued when blizzard conditions are expected, making travel very dangerous to impossible. Tree branches also may fall, contributing to power outages.

Salisbury University closes at midnight and remains closed on Thursday, January 4. Essential personnel should report to work as scheduled.

Please monitor local media, and the SU website, Facebook and Twitter pages for any updates, including information on Friday hours.

For the latest on the weather online, visit the National Weather Service website at www.noaa.gov and the Weather Channel at www.weather.com.

Wednesday, January 3, 2:45 p.m.

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University will close tonight (Wednesday, January 3) at midnight and remain closed on Thursday, January 4, due to the forecasted impact of Winter Storm Grayson. Essential personnel should report to work as scheduled.

All classes and events on campus on Thursday are canceled. Winter term students should log into MyClasses for any special class instructions.

SU Art Galleries Downtown is closed on Wednesday, January 3. The Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons closes at 7 p.m. today. Other Wednesday evening activities, including the men’s and women’s basketball games against York College, may continue. For those resident students already on campus, University Dining Services will operate in the Commons with normal hours for the winter semester. Cool Beans will be closed on Thursday, as will campus recreational facilities (Maggs Physical Activities Center, the University Fitness Club and the Indoor Tennis Center).

A winter storm warning remains in effect for Wicomico County and surrounding areas through 1 p.m. Thursday. Strong winds and potentially icy roads are expected, with wind chills as low as -10 degrees. Please monitor local media, and the SU website, Facebook and Twitter pages for any updates, including information on Friday hours.

For the latest on the weather online, visit the National Weather Service website at www.noaa.gov and the Weather Channel at www.weather.com.

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National Weather Service Safety Tips

With 4-8 inches of snow predicted for Wicomico County and temperatures expected to remain below freezing through the weekend, the National Weather Service has issued the following safety tips:

Stay indoors during the worst parts of the extreme cold.

For those who must go out, wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing and a hat. Mittens keep hands warmer than gloves.

Keep mouths covered to protect lungs from extreme cold. Try to stay dry and out of the wind.

Minimize travel. Those who must travel should keep winter survival kits in their vehicles, including warm clothes, flashlights, shovels and ice-melting materials.

Check tire pressure, antifreeze levels, heater/defroster condition and perform associated vehicle maintenance in advance of the storm.

Learn how to shut of water valves for potential pipe bursts.

Bring pets inside.

Check on elderly neighbors

Wednesday, January 3, 9:30 a.m.

SALISBURY, MD---The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm warning for Wicomico County and surrounding areas from 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 3 to 1 p.m. Thursday January 4.

A winter storm warning is issued when severe winter weather conditions are expected.

In Wicomico County, the NWS is predicting snowfall to begin after 7 p.m. Wednesday, with a total accumulation of 4-8 inches by 1 p.m. Thursday.

Temperatures in the low 20s are forecasted on Wednesday evening, decreasing to a low of 10 degrees on Thursday evening.

Winds up to 21 mph from Wednesday-Friday are expected, with gusts of up to 31 mph predicted Wednesday-Thursday and wind chill values as low as -10 degrees.

Temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing until Monday, January 8, creating potential hazards for drivers throughout the week as precipitation melts and refreezes on roadways.

During and after the possible storm, motorists are advised to use caution and allow greater room for stopping. Wind- and ice-related power outages also are possible from Wednesday evening into Thursday afternoon.

SU’s Emergency Preparedness Committee is following the path of the storm in conjunction with the Wicomico Emergency Management Division and Maryland Emergency Management Agency. Please monitor local media, and the SU website, Facebook and Twitter pages for any updates.

For the latest on the weather online, visit the National Weather Service website at www.noaa.gov and the Weather Channel at www.weather.com.