What to do:
Stay Informed
- During winter weather season, notices concerning SUNY Cortland’s operation will appear on the home page, campus video message screens, Facebook and Twitter. A text messages may be sent via the Campus Emergency Notification System.
- Monitor NOAA Weather Radio or NOAA’s website to stay informed of winter weather watches and warnings.
- Be alert for local weather warnings on commercial radio, television and the Internet. For a full description of what to listen for, and an explanation of different weather terms, refer to the National Weather Service Safety page.
Prepare
- Winterize your car:
- Store blankets in case you’re stranded on the roads.
- Keep your gas tank full.
- Consider carrying a small shovel and a road salt canister to help free your car if stuck.
- Familiarize yourself with Central New York winter weather terms:
- Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
- Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.
- Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected.
- Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two.
- Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon.
- Blizzard Warning means heavy snow and strong winds will produce a blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts and life-threatening wind chill.
- Frost/Freeze Warning means below freezing temperatures are expected.
Plan
- Plan to stay inside and make it on your own, at least for a period of time.
- Have some food on hand in your room in case the dining halls are unable to provide food service.
- Know of both a cell phone and landline phone you can use to call home if service is affected in one or the other.