WMU to close all campuses at 3 p.m. for winter storm

KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Except for essential services, all WMU campuses will close at 3 p.m. for the remainder of today, Friday, Jan. 12, due to severe weather. Classes scheduled for 3 p.m. or later today are canceled. 

This article will be updated with special hours as information becomes available. Check the University events calendar to confirm whether an event is canceled. Those who have posted items to the calendar are expected to update the event post to indicate whether the activity will continue as planned, transition to virtual or be canceled.

The WMU men's and women's basketball games on Saturday, Jan. 13, at University Arena are expected to continue as scheduled. The men's team takes on Ohio University at noon, and the women's team will challenge Miami University at 3 p.m. Fans can find up-to-date information at wmubroncos.com.

Campus services

• The WMU Student Center will close at 5 p.m. Friday.
• Dining Services centers will continue with normal hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Valley Dining Center closes at 8 p.m. Friday and will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Student Center Dining closes at 3 p.m. Friday.

• The Student Recreation Center will close at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12. The hours for Saturday, Jan. 13, are 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, the SRC will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the pool and climbing wall will be closed.

• Sindecuse Health Center and pharmacy will close at 3 p.m. Friday.
• All University Libraries locations will close at 3 p.m. Friday. Waldo Library will be open regular hours Saturday, Jan. 13; the Zhang Legacy Collections Center will be closed Saturday.

• 1999, Jan. 4-5—Heavy snowfall delayed the start of spring semester.
• 2000, Nov. 21-22—Thanksgiving recess began Tuesday because of snow.
• 2006, Dec. 1—An ice storm downed trees and caused power outages.
• 2007, Feb. 5—Extreme cold and snow closed many Michigan colleges.
• 2008, Feb. 1—WMU closed due to snow.
• 2009, Dec. 10—Blizzard conditions closed WMU.
• 2013, Jan. 31—Snow and icy conditions closed WMU.
• 2014, Jan. 6-7—Significant snowfall and expected severely cold temperatures prompted many Michigan colleges to close. The closure delayed the start of spring semester.
• 2014, Jan. 27—Snow and cold temperatures closed WMU.
• 2014, Nov. 18—Heavy snowfall closed WMU.
• 2015, Feb. 2—A widespread snowstorm closed WMU and many others schools around the state.
• 2016, Feb. 25—In an otherwise mild winter, a heavy snow accompanied by high winds closed WMU.
• 2018, Feb. 9—Severe winter weather prompted WMU to close at noon.
• 2019, Jan. 23—A mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow closed schools throughout the region.
• 2019, Jan. 28—A snowstorm covered the Kalamazoo area in several inches of snow and closed many schools throughout Michigan. The University closed campus at midday.
• 2019, Jan. 29—Severe weather prompted WMU to close at 5 p.m.
• 2019, Jan. 30-31—Snow and dangerously low temperatures due to wind chill prompted schools throughout the upper Midwest to close for two full days.
• 2019, Feb. 13—Freezing rain followed by heavy snow closed the University.
• 2022, Feb. 2—Rain turned to snow overnight, covering the Kalamazoo area in several inches of snow by midday.
• 2022, Nov. 18—A lake-effect snow storm dropped more than a foot of snow, causing the University to close campus early.
• 2022, Dec. 22—Impending severe winter weather and blizzard warning cause the University to close early on the final day before winter recess.
• 2023, Feb. 22—An ice storm hit southern Michigan and caused an early closure for the University.
• 2023, Feb. 23—For the second day in a row, an ice storm and power outages prompt Western and schools to close.
• 2024, Jan. 12—A large winter storm and strong winds sweeping across West Michigan prompted the University to close early.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.