WMU closes campuses Jan. 21 due to severe weather as cold temperatures, snow continue

On By Littum

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Apart from essential services, Tuesday 21 Januaryall WMU campuses will be closed and classes will not be held due to inclement weather.

This article will be updated with special opening hours as information becomes available. Check the university events calendar to confirm if an event has been cancelled. Those who have posted items to the calendar are expected to update the event posting to indicate whether the activity continues as planned, goes virtual, or is canceled.

Campus Services

  • The Student Recreation Center will be closed Tuesday.
  • All University libraries places will be closed Tuesday.
  • The Sindecuse Health Center and pharmacy will be open Tuesday from 10:00 to 15:00
  • The WMU Student Center will be open Tuesday from 9-20 See Dining Services below for further information.
  • Dining service: The Valley Dining Center will be open Tuesday with normal opening hours. Student Center Dining, Campus Cafes, and retail food outlets on the first floor of the WMU Student Center will be closed Tuesday.

Weather-related university closures since 1999

  • 1999, 4.-5. January—Heavy snowfall delayed the start of the spring semester.
  • 2000, 21.-22. November – The Thanksgiving holiday began on Tuesday due to snow.
  • 2006, December 1 – An ice storm downed trees and caused power outages.
  • 2007, February 5 – Extreme cold and snow closed many Michigan colleges.
  • 2008, February 1 – WMU closed due to snow.
  • 2009, December 10 – Blizzard closes WMU.
  • 2013, January 31—Snow and icy conditions closed WMU.
  • 2014, 6-7 January – Significant snowfall and expected very cold temperatures caused many Michigan colleges to close. The closure delayed the start of the spring semester.
  • 2014, January 27—Snow and cold temperatures closed WMU.
  • 2014, November 18—Heavy snowfall closed WMU.
  • 2015, February 2 – A widespread snowstorm closed WMU and many other schools around the state.
  • 2016, February 25 – In an otherwise mild winter, heavy snow accompanied by high winds closed WMU.
  • 2018, February 9 – Severe winter weather forced WMU to close at noon.
  • 2019, January 23 – A mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow closed schools across the region.
  • 2019, January 28 – A blizzard covered the Kalamazoo area in several inches of snow and closed many schools across Michigan. The university closed the campus at noon.
  • 2019, January 29 – Severe weather forced WMU to close at
  • 2019, 30-31 January—Snow and dangerously low temperatures due to wind chill caused schools throughout the upper Midwest to close for two full days.
  • 2019, February 13—Freezing rain followed by heavy snow closed the university.
  • 2022, February 2 – Rain turned to snow overnight, blanketing the Kalamazoo area in several inches of snow by noon.
  • 2022, November 18 – A lake-effect blizzard dropped more than a foot of snow, prompting the university to close the campus early.
  • 2022, December 22 – Impending severe winter weather and a blizzard warning cause the university to close early on the last day before winter break.
  • 2023, February 22 – An ice storm hits southern Michigan, causing an early closure of the university.
  • 2023, February 23 – For the second day in a row, an ice storm and power outages close Western and schools.
  • 2024, January 12 – A major winter storm and high winds sweeping across West Michigan caused the university to close early.
  • 2024, January 23—Freezing rain and icy conditions caused the university to postpone classes until 6 p.m.
  • 2025, January 21—Frigid temperatures and snow caused the university to close.

For more WMU news, art and eventsvisit WMU News online.