Severe wintry weather closes WMU campuses for third day, Jan. 23

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Except for essential services, all WMU campuses are closed and classes are canceled for Friday, Jan. 23, due to severe weather.

In addition, the WMU aviation campus in Battle Creek will be closed Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25, due to weather—no flight, simulation or other activities. Building access will be restricted until Monday, Jan. 26.

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 a virtual format or be canceled.

Campus services

• The WMU Student Center will be open from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday. The bookstore will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The game room will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. FedEx and HÔU JIA are also open Friday. PNC is closed Friday.
• The Valley Dining Center and Student Center Dining will operate during regular hours on Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Campus Cafés and the four retail operations on the first floor of the WMU Student Center (Mi Pi, Re-Fresh Market, Fuego Verde and Starbucks) will be closed. Updates will be posted on the Dining Services website.
• Metro will not run buses on campus Friday. Students who need transportation can call (269) 337-8222.
• Waldo Library and Zhang Legacy Collections Center will be closed Friday as well as Saturday, Jan. 24.
• The Student Recreation Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday for workouts only—no fitness classes. The virtual meeting for aerobics instructor training will be held as scheduled. The SRC will be closed Saturday, Jan. 24. Check the SRC’s website for updates.
• The Sindecuse Health Center will be closed Friday.
• West Hills Athletic Club will be open Friday during regular hours. Morning group fitness classes are canceled.

Weather-related University closings since 1999

• 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 snowstorm 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 prompted 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.
• 2024, Jan. 23—Freezing rain and icy conditions led the University to delay classes until 10 a.m.
• 2025, Jan. 21—Frigid temperatures and snow caused the University to close.
• 2025, Jan. 22—Severe freezing temperatures and snow closed all campuses for a second day.
• 2025, Feb. 12—WMU closed campus to evening classes for fast-falling heavy snow.
• 2026, Jan. 20—WMU closed all campuses and canceled all classes because of severe weather.
• 2026, Jan. 22—WMU closed all campuses and canceled all classes because of severe weather.
• 2026, Jan. 23—Severe wintry weather prompts WMU to close campuses for another day.

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