A frigid University erupted with cheers around 4:10 p.m. today as a text message circulated informing students that classes were cancelled.
The University closed at 4:30 today; all classes and activities scheduled after then are canceled.
All non-essential personnel have been instructed to stay off campus.
The University’s Emergency Operations Center cancelled classes after weather reports predicting hazardous wintry conditions – freezing rain and icy roads – turned grimmer.
“We apologize for the short notice, but the EOC was waiting for the most accurate, up-to-date information before making this decision,” a University news release said.
The decision comes right on the heels of a 3:30 p.m. warning from the National Weather Service that wintry conditions are expected to worsen.
NWS predicts freezing rain and sleet starting this afternoon that will gradually increase in severity. It also predicts up to an inch of accumulated ice, which it says might knock out power lines and cause dangerous driving conditions.
Temperatures are expected to be near or below freezing for the rest of the night. NWS predicts temperatures to be above freezing by 10 a.m. Friday.
TigerTrails will not run after 6 p.m. today, and Campus Transit will not run Thursday or Friday night, according to LSU’s official Twitter account.
The LSU gymnastics meet Friday is still on as scheduled, according to an Athletic Department news release. All other athletic events for the weekend are still planned to take place.
All state businesses and public schools were closed today and are scheduled for closure Friday.
Private K-12 schools throughout Baton Rouge announced Friday closures throughout the day. Southern University announced it would be closed Friday at 8:49 a.m.
Baton Rouge Community College was closed today and will be closed Friday.
 
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Contact Matthew Albright at [email protected]