Kaitlyn Richards ‘29
News Editor
Last weekend, a majority of the country experienced severe winter storms, leading some regions to receive the highest snowfall in recent years. As the major winter storm approached Central Massachusetts early Sunday morning, Worcester city officials declared a major “Winter Weather Emergency”, by announcing measures to maintain residents’ safety which affected the daily operation of the College of the Holy Cross, as well as surrounding schools in the area.
Ahead of the storm, campus officials at Holy Cross announced on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2026, that the college would close due to hazardous weather conditions. In a message released to students, faculty, and staff, the college announced that the campus “will be closed starting at 2 p.m. Sunday through 5 p.m. Monday,” cancelling “all activities, programs, and services.” The announcement cited dangerous travel conditions for staff members, and difficulty traversing the campus for students. The college urged “students to exercise increased caution when walking across campus while snow removal equipment is operating throughout campus,” further emphasizing the precautions being taken to keep all community members safe.
The storm, which moved towards the East Coast Sunday into Monday, brought heavy snowfall, strong winds, and icy conditions across Worcester. The National Weather Service forecasted between twelve and twenty-four inches of snow, with temperatures dropping to sub-zero levels early in the day. By the time the storm subsided, 22.4 inches of snow fell on the hills of Holy Cross.
With the campus closures, all in-person classes that were scheduled to be held on Monday were cancelled. However, “faculty members could cancel their classes, hold their classes remotely, host a make-up class at a later date, or assign alternative course material” based on their discretion to best support their students and the course schedule. Most instructors required students to follow the schedule provided through syllabi to prepare for the upcoming class dates.
On campus, all facilities remained closed, including students’ favorite weekend spots, such as Hogan, the Jo Athletic Center, and all of the libraries on campus. However, despite the closures, residents’ halls, as well as Kimball Dining Hall continued to operate to accommodate students on campus. Additionally, emergency personnel as well as snow removal teams were deemed essential employees, remaining active throughout the course of the storm to maintain safety and accessibility.
Prior to the storm, the Department of Risk Management asked all community members to close as well as lock all windows to prevent cold air from entering the buildings and to turn on all heaters by “maintaining a standard occupied temperature to ensure wall cavities remain warm.” Students were also encouraged to stay indoors as much as possible after the sun went down due to the extremely frigid temperatures and the increased risk of frostbite.
To keep the city safe, Worcester officials declared a “Winter Parking Ban” and urged all residents to avoid any unnecessary travel. Plow crews continued to work through the night to clear roadways, and sidewalks. Additionally, the city opened a shelter/warming center at Worcester Technical High School due to the dangerously low temperatures seen throughout the entirety of the weekend.
As the storm eased Monday afternoon, Holy Cross and the city of Worcester began the process of returning to normal operations, as snow removal crews continued to work tirelessly to keep roads safe. The winter whiteout served as a reminder of the city’s preparedness for extreme weather, and the importance of staying warm on winter days. Despite the challenges of the snow, students found enjoyable ways to pass their unexpected time off from classes, by sledding down the many hills, having a cozy movie night with friends, or enjoying the warmth of the residence halls. Even in the hardest storms, students still find their sense of community here on campus.
Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Magazine
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