Editor's note: This article was updated at 8 p.m., Jan. 30, 2021, based on the most recent briefing from the National Weather Service.

Delaware is now under a Winter Storm Warning, with a nor’easter predicted to arrive in the area starting in the late afternoon on Sunday, Jan. 31, and continuing through the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 2. The heaviest snow is expected on Monday, Feb. 1. University of Delaware officials are monitoring the situation closely.

The National Weather Service is now predicting significant snowfall, with possible totals of 8-12 inches in northern Delaware. Officials say the exact storm track remains uncertain at this time, but the heaviest snow is predicted during the day on Monday, when snowfall rates could exceed 1 inch per hour at times in some areas.

When severe weather threatens, UD provides several ways to find out about any schedule changes. As soon decisions are made, information on closings or late openings will be provided in a variety of ways, including the web and social media.

“Today’s technology can help everyone stay informed about emerging weather patterns so they canplan for any potential hazards,” Mark Seifert, director of emergency management in Campus and Public Safety, said. “I advise everyone to download the Live Safe App and book mark UD’s website and social media channels so you have access to important real time information.”

News of any campus-wide weather-related closings, late openings or early closings will be available:

• On the UD home page (www.udel.edu) and on UDaily;
• On the University's primary social media accounts: www.facebook.com/UDelaware and www.twitter.com/UDelaware, as well as www.facebook.com/UDelPolice and www.Twitter.com/udelpolice;
• In an email to all members of the campus community;
• Via the University's LiveSafe smartphone application, which provides the option to receive email or text updates (To use this option, you must download the free app. For information on how to subscribe to LiveSafe, click here.);
• On UD's telephone directory information line at 302-831-2000;
• On the state Department of Education's School Closings and Delays website, which includes an option for automatic notification (To use the notification option, you must subscribe to this service which is not maintained by UD); and
• On local radio broadcasts.

The University of Delaware Associate in Arts Program is operating remotely for Winter Session and throughout the spring semester. 

Members of the campus community should not call UD Police so that telephone lines there can remain open for emergency calls.

Please note that the UD Alert system will not typically be used for weather-related closings unless immediate action is required. UD Alert is an emergency notification tool activated only during major emergencies or situations where there is an imminent danger to the safety and welfare of the University community.

UD Policy

Members of the University community are reminded that safety is UD's highest priority. Students and employees should not put themselves at risk. Students who are unable to get to campus because of the weather should contact their professors. Employees who expect difficulty traveling should contact their supervisors.  

University Policies include a section dealing with personal safety considerations for faculty and students. Please note the policy, which is reprinted here:

Faculty and students are not expected to take unnecessary risks to meet their teaching and learning obligations due to inclement weather. When classes have not been canceled, it is a matter of personal judgment whether traveling to campus is hazardous. Faculty should notify their departmental offices when weather precludes them from meeting their teaching obligations; similarly, students should notify their professors when inclement weather precludes them from class attendance. In such cases, students should be allowed to make up missed class time and, whenever possible, canceled classes should be rescheduled.