Winter Weather: Stay informed with the latest updates

Updated 11:50 a.m. Thursday, Jan 23, 2025

Georgia College to Resume Normal Operations Friday, Jan. 24

With temperatures on the rise throughout the state and expected to stay above freezing into the evening, Georgia College & State University will reopen campus and resume normal class schedules and operations Friday, Jan. 24, as planned.

Sunny weather and temperatures in the 40s are expected most of Thursday and Friday, leading the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency to issue an all-clear announcement to university leadership this morning. 

The Wellness & Recreation Center, the Centennial Center and The Den in the Maxwell Student Union will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23. 

Brunch and dinner will be served at The MAX Thursday, with shuttle services provided for both meals. 

Updates on the availability of additional campus services Thursday will be communicated directly to students soon.

In the event that a student will not be able to make it back to campus before Friday, Jan. 24, they should coordinate directly with their faculty on schedules and assignments. 

Updated 12:48 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025

Campus Closure to Continue into Thursday, Jan. 23, at Georgia College

With temperatures in central and southern Georgia expected to remain below freezing for most of the day Wednesday and into Thursday morning, Georgia College & State University will extend its campus closure through Thursday, Jan. 23, to ensure the safety of all Bobcats.

All undergraduate classes, in-person events and after-school activities have been canceled. The basketball games planned for Wednesday will be rescheduled. Online graduate courses will continue as scheduled.

Non-essential staff are advised to work remotely. Essential staff should report to work, as usual.

Based on the best information currently available, normal operations are expected to resume Friday. 

Weather Update

Following a total of 2-3 inches of snowfall in the middle Georgia area yesterday, Tuesday, Jan. 22, forecasts from the National Weather Service project sub-freezing temperatures for the majority of Wednesday. Temperatures should climb above 32 degrees (Fahrenheit) for a few hours in the mid- to late-afternoon, before dropping again in the evening, which could cause refreezing on roadways and extend dangerous driving conditions throughout the state. 

Georgia State Patrol reported a spike in motor vehicle accidents last night, leading to widespread traffic and interstate closures.

Officials from the Georgia Department of Transportation are continuing to urge residents not to drive unless absolutely necessary.

Above-freezing temperatures are expected to return to the area around 10-11 a.m. Thursday.

Campus Services

Dining Services will provide brunch until 2 p.m. today at the West Campus Center (Pizza Hut location). 

Shuttle service is currently planned for 3:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday for dinner at the MAX, assuming that roads are safe to drive on by that time. 

Any adjustments to those plans, as well as details on Thursday’s services, will be communicated with students as soon as possible, via email, social media and the Passio Go app.

Due to unsafe driving conditions, the Wellness & Recreation Center is not open Wednesday, contrary to previous reporting.

Telework Expectations

All remote workers are expected to remain accessible by email, phone and Teams during normal operating hours, as connectivity allows. 

If you are unsure whether you are considered “essential” staff, or have other questions about work expectations, confer directly with your supervisor.

Beyond Thursday

An additional update confirming the status of Friday operations and classes will be sent no later than Thursday afternoon. 

In the event that a student will not be able to make it back to campus before Friday, Jan. 24, they should coordinate directly with their faculty on schedules and assignments. 

For additional information on the availability of campus services, contact Public Safety at 478-445-4054.

Updated 12:59 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 21, 2025

Campus Closure to Extend Through Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Georgia College 

With a Winter Storm Warning currently in effect in our area by the National Weather Service, and a state of emergency declared across Georgia, including Baldwin County, Georgia College & State University will extend its campus closure through Wednesday, Jan. 22.

All undergraduate classes, in-person events and after-school activities have been canceled. The basketball games planned for Wednesday will be rescheduled. Online graduate courses will continue as scheduled.

Non-essential staff are advised to work remotely. Essential staff should report to work, as usual.

Weather Update

The Winter Storm Warning is currently in effect until 7 a.m. Wednesday. Forecasts project below-freezing temperatures, with possible snowfall of one to three inches, beginning midday Tuesday in south and central Georgia. Those weather impacts could create hazardous road conditions Tuesday afternoon and potentially into Wednesday morning, depending on the amount of wintry precipitation accumulated.

All community members are urged not to drive and to stay indoors during the storm, unless absolutely necessary.

Campus Services

Dining Services will provide brunch until 2 p.m. and dinner between 4-8 p.m. Tuesday on main campus, as well as at the West Campus Center (Pizza Hut location). Meal service will be available to students Wednesday on West Campus. Additional information will be shared directly with residents soon.

Check the Passio Go app for Wednesday’s shuttle service schedule. 

The Wellness & Recreation Center will be open to students from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Telework Expectations

All remote workers are expected to remain accessible by email, phone and Teams during normal operating hours, as connectivity allows. 

If you are unsure whether you are considered “essential” staff, or have other questions about work expectations, confer directly with your supervisor.

Beyond Wednesday

In the event that a student will not be able to make it back to campus before Thursday, Jan. 23, they should coordinate directly with their faculty on schedules and assignments. 

Leadership will send an additional update regarding Thursday operations and classes no later than Wednesday afternoon, once more accurate weather information is available. 

Helpful Resources

To report a power outage, visit Georgia Power online.

For more on the latest weather models, monitor the National Weather Service.

For additional information on the availability of campus services, contact Public Safety at 478-445-4054.

Updated 2:33 p.m. Monday, Jan 20, 2025

Georgia College to Close Campus Tuesday, Jan. 21, Ahead of Winter Storm 

Ahead of an extreme winter weather system expected to move across the state this week, Georgia College will close campus and cancel all undergraduate classes Tuesday, Jan. 21. Online graduate courses will be held as scheduled. 

Non-essential staff are advised to work remotely. Essential staff should report to work, as usual.

To ensure safe travels to and from campus for all Bobcats, students who are currently out of town should plan to return to campus Wednesday, unless otherwise directed. For students currently on campus who intend to stay throughout the closure, GCSU Housing Staff will reach out soon to share preparation tips along with information regarding the availability of campus services.

Weather Forecast 

Based on the best information that we can currently gather, winter weather is expected to begin affecting our area by late morning Tuesday through the overnight hours of Tuesday night. Current forecasts project below-freezing temperatures with a chance of up to two inches of snow in the middle Georgia area, which would result in hazardous driving conditions in the region. 

Although models continue to change, the National Weather Service has placed areas including Baldwin County in a Winter Storm Watch, with warmer weather expected to return later in the week. 

Safety Information

Extremely cold temperatures and even colder windchills are expected beginning late Monday and continuing through Wednesday and potentially beyond — the type of weather that could threaten pipes in buildings around Milledgeville. We urge off-campus students to contact their landlords to determine what precautionary measures they should take; for example, running faucets throughout this time could minimize the possibility of burst pipes. 

Students are encouraged to exercise caution throughout the storm and stay indoors and off roadways whenever possible.

Campus Operations

All in-person activities planned for Tuesday have been canceled. Dining Services will provide brunch and dinner service tomorrow. Additional information about meal and shuttle service will be provided soon.

Telework Expectations

All remote workers are expected to remain accessible by email, phone and Teams during normal operating hours, as connectivity allows. 

If you are unsure whether you are considered “essential” staff, please confer with your supervisor.

Beyond Tuesday

In the event that a student will not be able to make it back to campus before Wednesday, Jan. 22, or they experience connectivity issues that preclude them from doing online work, they should coordinate directly with their faculty on schedules and assignments. 

Leadership will send an additional update regarding Wednesday operations and classes no later than Tuesday afternoon, once more accurate weather information is available. 

For more on the latest weather models, monitor the National Weather Service.

Updated 9:36 a.m. Monday, Jan 20, 2025

GCSU Continues to Monitor Incoming Storm

Georgia College leadership is continuing to communicate with the National Weather Service about the incoming storm system and is awaiting a weather briefing, which will provide updated forecast information, at midday today.

A decision about Tuesday classes and operations will be made early this afternoon, when the most comprehensive information about the timing and severity of the incoming system is available. 

Continue to monitor your university email account, as well as this page online, for updates.

For more on the current weather models, monitor the National Weather Service.

Updated 4:31 p.m. Friday, Jan 17, 2025

Georgia College Actively Monitoring Incoming Winter Weather

GCSU leadership is currently monitoring another winter weather system that is expected to sweep extreme weather conditions throughout Georgia next week. Current forecasts project below-freezing temperatures, with a chance of snow, which would result in hazardous driving conditions, in the middle Georgia area Tuesday, Jan. 21, and continuing through Wednesday, Jan. 22.

All current forecasts indicate that warmer weather should return to the state by Thursday or Friday.

The university may make adjustments to next week’s operating schedule. Information regarding those changes will be released as soon as it becomes available, after more timely information is obtained from the National Weather Service. We will make decisions as soon as forecasts become clearer and weather information is sufficiently reliable.

Keep an eye out for an additional update from university leadership no later than Monday morning — sent both to your university email account, as well as published to this page. 

For more on the current weather models, monitor the National Weather Service.