Inclement Weather

January 2026 Storm Updates

The University of Maryland, College Park is closed on Thursday, Jan 29 and Friday, Jan 30, 2026, due to inclement weather. University crews are making every effort to resume campus operations.

Currently, residence halls and dining halls are without heat and hot water due to extreme cold weather. Our facilities teams are actively working on repairs and estimate restoration of heat and hot water service through the night.

Full List of Affected Buildings

While classes scheduled during closures or delays will not meet, instructors may offer asynchronous instruction to maintain continuity of learning. Instructors are responsible for communicating directly with their students about asynchronous virtual instruction, assignments and expectations.

Any changes to dining hours and locations related to inclement weather will be posted on the Dining Services website.

UMD Facilities Management continues storm cleanup across campus in response to winter weather, with crews prioritizing high-traffic pedestrian areas, including residence halls and dining facilities, as well as fire lanes and main streets. Please follow the guidance below to stay safe:

As cleanup continues, even walkways that have been cleared of snow may remain icy, particularly in shaded or high-use areas; use caution and watch your footing.
Limit time outdoors and dress for the weather. Wear layers of loose clothing and a warm coat, along with a hat, scarf, or knit mask to cover your face and mouth, gloves, and water-resistant boots. Stay dry—wet clothing chills the body.
Ice buildup on trees may cause branches to fall without warning; stay alert and avoid walking under trees when possible.
Avoid driving if you can. Do not move your vehicle during the storm. When it is safe to do so, remove snow from your vehicle and park it in a garage to help support snow removal efforts. Neither paid nor permit parking regulations will be enforced on Monday. Once the decision to reopen is made, DOTS will let permit holders know when they need to return to their assigned lots.
If you notice a building or grounds issue — such as flooding or water intrusion, a broken or open window, or a fallen tree — please report it to Facilities Management’s Customer Response Center at 301-405-2222.
Watch closely for signs of cold-weather health problems such as hypothermia and frostbite. Report emergencies or medical conditions to UMPD at 301-405-3555. For more information on cold-weather safety, visit the CDC’s guidance on hypothermia and frostbite.

Weather Communications

Below are weather-related communications from the University and the City of College Park.

Jan 28, 8:00 p.m. - Message from the Department of Resident Life

Campus Operations Update & Temporary Departure Guidance

Jan 26, 5:00 p.m. - Message from the Office of the Provost to Students

Important Guidance on Academic Coursework during Inclement Weather

Jan 22, 1:30 p.m. - Message from the Office of the Provost to Faculty

Guidance on asynchronous teaching during inclement weather

Jan 22, 12:00 p.m. - Message from the Office of the Provost to Campus

Timely Guidance for Inclement Weather

Jan 21, 2:45 p.m. - Message from the Department of Resident Life

Notice to Residence Hall Students and Their Families

Jan 23, 2:40 p.m. - Message from the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center

Planning for Week One

Guidance from the City of College Park

Winter Weather Alert

Guidance from the University Libraries

Library Support During Weather-Related Closures

How We Communicate Operational Updates

When operations change, the university will send updates through official channels:

Email and text alerts (UMD Alerts)
A banner or announcement on the university homepage
University X/Twitter accounts (@President_Pines, @UMDRightNow and @UofMaryland)
UMD Snowline (x5-SNOW or 301-405-7669)

If no message is issued, the university is operating normally. The university makes every effort to communicate changes to campus operations by 4:30 a.m. Local media outlets often cover changes to university operations; however, for the most up-to-date information, please check the university sites listed.

Inclement Weather FAQs

For additional questions about the University of Maryland's policies and procedures for inclement weather, please reference our FAQ below.

How does the university decide when to close the university for inclement weather?

The university may close, delay opening or close early in the event of extreme weather conditions. This decision will be made based on the severity of the weather and the potential impact on campus operations. We are committed to minimizing disruption to our academic and research missions and to prioritizing the safety of our campus.

As a residential campus, certain essential services and operations, such as housing, dining and public safety, will continue during weather-related closures. Employees are encouraged to speak directly with their supervisors to address any questions.

During a full campus closure, what offices and departments close?

All classes scheduled while the university is closed are canceled. While classes scheduled during closures or delays will not meet, instructors may offer asynchronous instruction to maintain continuity of learning. While the form and utility of asynchronous virtual instruction will vary across courses, these options are useful and advised in the event of a multi-day campus closure.

How can instructors maintain continuity of learning during a closure with asynchronous learning?

While classes scheduled during closures or delays will not meet, instructors may offer asynchronous instruction to maintain continuity of learning. While the form and utility of asynchronous virtual instruction will vary across courses, these options are useful and advised in the event of a multi-day campus closure.

Instructors are encouraged to proactively begin planning for the possibility of asynchronous remote instruction before the first day of classes. Instructors may visit the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center’s website on emergency closures and continuity of learning, which provides a wealth of information on how to temporarily shift to asynchronous learning. Some basics include guidance on updating course ELMS pages and the best way to contact students. More advanced options for asynchronous virtual instruction are also available.

It’s important to keep the following in mind:

Communication - Instructors are responsible for communicating directly with their students about asynchronous virtual instruction, assignments and expectations.
Access - Instructors should ensure students have access to the necessary materials and resources to continue studies remotely.
Flexibility - Please be mindful and flexible regarding students' ability to meet expectations and deadlines, as some may face unexpected challenges such as limited access to Wi-Fi, electricity, or other necessary resources during inclement weather.

Who are essential employees?

The following definitions apply to individuals who are considered essential during inclement weather events:

Weather/Other: Employees who are subject to being required to work because of weather or operational emergencies such as snow removal, flooding, electrical outages, etc.
Catastrophic & Weather/Other: Employees who are subject to being required to work to maintain continuity of University services in the event of any major catastrophic event AND who are also subject to being required to work because of weather or operational emergencies. For certain positions, work may be able to be completed remotely.

If an employee is unsure whether they are an essential employee for inclement weather events, they should contact their supervisor for guidance.

How do I find additional information about classes that are changed from in-person to virtual?

Faculty and Instructors are responsible for communicating directly with their students about asynchronous virtual instruction, assignments and expectations. Students should plan to check their email and ELMS for updates from their instructors.

If my class falls partially during a period when the university is closed, will it still be held?

All classes scheduled while the university is closed are canceled; and in the case of a late opening or early closing, students are expected to report to their classes for any period of time that the university is open.

For example, if a class runs from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. and the university is opening late at 10 a.m., students will be expected to attend that class for its remaining time, from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m

How are student services affected when the university is closed?

Information for frequently requested services includes:

Resident Life: When the University is closed due to inclement weather, residence halls remain open, however, Resident Life administrative offices are closed. Resident students who need assistance should contact their residence hall service desk to contact on-duty Resident Life staff. In an emergency, residents should contact the University of Maryland Police Department immediately by calling 301-405-3333. Residents should check the Resident Life website, follow @UMDReslife on X/Twitter, and monitor email regularly for any pertinent residence hall updates.
Dining Services: In the event of a campus closure, Dining Services operates on an abbreviated schedule. For up-to-date information, visit the Dining Services website, follow @UMDDining on Instagram or find additional information about Dining Services policies during emergency conditions.
Health Center: The University Health Center’s hours may vary during weather-related campus closures. If UHC opens during a campus closure, they will only be available for urgent visits and will operate on limited hours. If the UHC is unable to open, then some previously scheduled in-person visits will be converted to telemedicine visits (if possible). In addition, other appointments may be rescheduled or canceled if the UHC is unable to open during a campus closure. For the latest information on UHC’s availability, please visit the University Health Center’s website. For life-threatening or mental health emergencies, call 911 (off-campus) or 301-405-3333 (on-campus for the University of Maryland Police Department)
Counseling Center: The Counseling Center is closed whenever the university is closed, including closures for inclement weather. Anytime the Counseling Center is closed, our After Hours Phone Line can be accessed by calling the main Counseling Center number at 301-314-7651. The After Hours Phone Line is available for urgent situations, providing access to a mental health professional over the phone (appointment scheduling and rescheduling cannot be done via the After Hours Phone Line). In the case of an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Libraries: The University Libraries follow the same closing schedule as the university. In the case of a delayed opening, library facilities and service desks will typically open 30 minutes after campus reopens. For the latest information on the Libraries' hours of operations during inclement weather, please visit the Libraries' website. Access to online resources will be available.
Stamp Student Union: In the event that the university is closed, all events in the Stamp will be canceled. If the university has a delayed opening, the Stamp will open 30 minutes before the university's scheduled opening time, and events will begin one hour after the university's scheduled opening time. If the university closes early during the regular operational hours of the Stamp, all events will end one hour before the scheduled university close time and the Stamp may possibly remain open for up to one hour after the university's scheduled closing time. Follow @thestampumd on X/Twitter, or visit Stamp’s website for the latest information on the Stamp’s hours of operation, service departments, and retail vendors during inclement weather.
University Recreation & Wellness: When campus is closed, RecWell facilities will operate on an abbreviated schedule and all RecWell programs, including group fitness classes, will be canceled. For more information about the availability of RecWell facilities during inclement weather, including provisions for when the university opens late, closes early, or is closed for the day, visit RecWell’s inclement weather website or follow @UMDRecWell on Twitter.

How can I find out about impacts to transportation and parking?

The Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) inclement weather website will be updated to reflect any changes to Shuttle-UM service or parking. Status updates will also be posted on X/Twitter (@DOTS_UMD), Instagram (@DOTS_UMD) and on the Transit App.

Are athletic events canceled when the university is closed?

Please check umterps.com and follow @umterps on X/Twitter for the status of athletic events.

Are performances at The Clarice canceled when the university is closed?

Please check theclarice.umd.edu for the status of events at The Clarice.

Does the university’s closure only apply to College Park?

When the university makes a decision on its open or closed status, the university notifies other campuses that may also be affected by inclement weather, such as the Universities at Shady Grove and the USM Southern Maryland regional center. It is up to those institutions to determine their open or closed status and notify their campus community.

Buildings Affected by Steam Outages

Buildings Impacted by Hot Water Outage

A. JAMES CLARK HALL
ALLEGANY HALL
ANIMAL SCIENCES / AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING BUILDING
ANIMAL SCIENCES SERVICE BUILDING
ANNAPOLIS HALL
ATLANTIC BUILDING
BALTIMORE HALL
BARRY P. GOSSETT BASKETBALL PERFORMANCE CENTER
BEL AIR HALL
BENJAMIN BUILDING / BENJAMIN CHILLER PLANT
BIOLOGY - PSYCHOLOGY BUILDING
BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES BUILDING
BIOSCIENCE RESEARCH BUILDING
BRENDAN IRIBE CENTER
C. DANIEL MOTE ENGINEERING LAB BUILDING
CALVERT HALL
CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER
CAMBRIDGE HALL
CAROLINE HALL
CARROLL HALL
CECIL HALL
CENTER FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
CENTRAL ANIMAL RESOURCES FACILITY
CENTREVILLE HALL
CHARLES HALL
CHEMICAL AND NUCLEAR ENGINEERING BUILDING
CHEMISTRY BUILDING
CHESAPEAKE BUILDING
CHESTERTOWN HALL
CLARENCE MITCHELL BUILDING
COLE STUDENT ACTIVITIES BUILDING
COMPUTER SCIENCES INSTRUCTIONAL CENTER
CUMBERLAND HALL
DENTON AREA DINING HALL
DENTON HALL
E.A. FERNANDEZ IDEA FACTORY
EASTON HALL
EDWARD ST. JOHN LEARNING AND TEACHING CENTER
ELKTON HALL
ELLICOTT AREA DINING HALL
ELLICOTT HALL
ENERGY RESEARCH FACILITY
ENGINEERING ANNEX
FIELD HOCKEY AND LACROSSE COMPLEX
FRATERNITY HOUSE 13
FRATERNITY HOUSE 7
FRATERNITY HOUSE 8
FRATERNITY HOUSE 14
FRATERNITY HOUSE 12
FRATERNITY HOUSE 5
FRATERNITY HOUSE 2
FRATERNITY HOUSE 4
FRATERNITY HOUSE 6
FRATERNITY HOUSE 1
FRATERNITY HOUSE 10
FRATERNITY HOUSE 9
FRATERNITY HOUSE 3
FRATERNITY HOUSE 11
FREDERICK HALL
GARRETT HALL
GOSSETT HALL
HAGERSTOWN HALL
HARFORD HALL
HEALTH CENTER
HERBERT RABIN TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM BUILDING
HJ PATTERSON HALL
HOWARD HALL
INSTITUTE FOR PHYSICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
J.M. PATTERSON BUILDING
JOHN S. TOLL PHYSICS BUILDING
JOHNSON - WHITTLE HALL
JULL HALL
KENT HALL
KIM ENGINEERING BUILDING
KIRWAN HALL
LA PLATA HALL
LEONARDTOWN COMMUNITY CENTER
MANUFACTURING BUILDING
MARIE MOUNT HALL
MARYLAND SOFTBALL STADIUM
MCKELDIN LIBRARY
MEMORIAL CHAPEL
MICROBIOLOGY BUILDING
MONTGOMERY HALL
NEUTRAL BUOYANCY RESEARCH FACILITY
NEW LEONARDTOWN BUILDINGS
NYUMBURU CULTURAL CENTER
OAKLAND HALL
PARREN MITCHELL ART-SOCIOLOGY BUILDING
PHYSICAL SCIENCES COMPLEX
PHYSICS WELDING SHOP
POCOMOKE BUILDING
PREINKERT HALL
PRINCE GEORGE'S HALL
PYON - CHEN HALL
RECKORD ARMORY
ROSSBOROUGH INN
SERVICE BUILDING
SKINNER BUILDING
TALBOT HALL
THOMAS V. MILLER, JR. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
TYDINGS HALL
TYSER TOWER
VARSITY SPORTS TEAMHOUSE
WASHINGTON HALL
WICOMICO HALL
WIND TUNNEL BUILDING
WOODS HALL
WORCESTER HALL
WYE OAK BUILDING
XFINITY CENTER
YAHENTAMITSI DINING HALL

Buildings Impacted by Heating Outage

A. JAMES CLARK HALL
A.V. WILLIAMS BUILDING
ALLEGANY HALL
ANIMAL SCIENCES / AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING BUILDING
ANIMAL SCIENCES SERVICE BUILDING
ANNAPOLIS HALL
ANNE ARUNDEL HALL
ARCHITECTURE BUILDING
ATLANTIC BUILDING
BALTIMORE HALL
BARRY P. GOSSETT BASKETBALL PERFORMANCE CENTER
BEL AIR HALL
BENJAMIN BUILDING / BENJAMIN CHILLER PLANT
BIOLOGY - PSYCHOLOGY BUILDING
BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES BUILDING
BIOSCIENCE RESEARCH BUILDING
BRENDAN IRIBE CENTER
C. DANIEL MOTE ENGINEERING LAB BUILDING
CALVERT HALL
CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER
CAMBRIDGE HALL
CAROLINE HALL
CARROLL HALL
CECIL HALL
CENTER FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
CENTRAL ANIMAL RESOURCES FACILITY
CENTREVILLE HALL
CHARLES HALL
CHEMICAL AND NUCLEAR ENGINEERING BUILDING
CHEMISTRY BUILDING
CHESAPEAKE BUILDING
CHESTERTOWN HALL
CHINCOTEAGUE HALL
CLARENCE MITCHELL BUILDING
CLARICE SMITH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
COLE STUDENT ACTIVITIES BUILDING
COMPUTER SCIENCES INSTRUCTIONAL CENTER
CUMBERLAND HALL
DENTON AREA DINING HALL
DENTON HALL
DORCHESTER HALL
E.A. FERNANDEZ IDEA FACTORY
EASTON HALL
EDWARD ST. JOHN LEARNING AND TEACHING CENTER
ELKTON HALL
ELLICOTT AREA DINING HALL
ELLICOTT HALL
ENERGY RESEARCH FACILITY
ENGINEERING ANNEX
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE FACILITY
EPPLEY RECREATION CENTER
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY HALL
FRATERNITY HOUSE 13
FRATERNITY HOUSE 7
FRATERNITY HOUSE 8
FRATERNITY HOUSE 14
FRATERNITY HOUSE 12
FRATERNITY HOUSE 5
FRATERNITY HOUSE 2
FRATERNITY HOUSE 4
FRATERNITY HOUSE 6
FRATERNITY HOUSE 1
FRATERNITY HOUSE 10
FRATERNITY HOUSE 9
FRATERNITY HOUSE 3
FRATERNITY HOUSE 11
FREDERICK HALL
GARRETT HALL
GEOLOGY BUILDING
GLENN L. MARTIN HALL
GOSSETT HALL
HAGERSTOWN HALL
HARFORD HALL
HEALTH CENTER
HJ PATTERSON HALL
HORNBAKE LIBRARY
HOWARD HALL
INSTITUTE FOR PHYSICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
J.M. PATTERSON BUILDING
JIMENEZ HALL
JOHN S. TOLL PHYSICS BUILDING
JOHNSON - WHITTLE HALL
JULL HALL
KENT HALL
KIM ENGINEERING BUILDING
KIRWAN HALL
KNIGHT HALL
LA PLATA HALL
LEE BUILDING
LEFRAK HALL
LEONARDTOWN COMMUNITY CENTER
MARIE MOUNT HALL
MARYLAND SOFTBALL STADIUM
MCKELDIN LIBRARY
MEMORIAL CHAPEL
MICROBIOLOGY BUILDING
MONTGOMERY HALL
MORRILL HALL
NEW LEONARDTOWN BUILDINGS
NYUMBURU CULTURAL CENTER
OAKLAND HALL
PARREN MITCHELL ART-SOCIOLOGY BUILDING
PHYSICAL SCIENCES COMPLEX
PHYSICS WELDING SHOP
PLANT SCIENCES
POCOMOKE BUILDING
POULTRY BARN / BLACKSMITH SHOP
PREINKERT HALL
PRINCE FREDERICK HALL
PRINCE GEORGE'S HALL
PYON - CHEN HALL
QUEEN ANNE'S HALL
RECKORD ARMORY
RIGGS ALUMNI CENTER
RITCHIE COLISEUM
ROSSBOROUGH INN
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
SERVICE BUILDING
SHOEMAKER BUILDING
SKINNER BUILDING
SOMERSET HALL
SOUTH CAMPUS DINING HALL
ST. MARY'S HALL
STAMP STUDENT UNION
SUSQUEHANNA HALL
SYMONS HALL
TALBOT HALL
TALIAFERRO HALL
TAWES HALL
THOMAS V. MILLER, JR. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
TURNER HALL
TYDINGS HALL
TYSER TOWER
VAN MUNCHING HALL
VARSITY SPORTS TEAMHOUSE
WASHINGTON HALL
WICOMICO HALL
WIND TUNNEL BUILDING
WOODS HALL
WORCESTER HALL
XFINITY CENTER
YAHENTAMITSI DINING HALL