Duke Officials Monitoring Winter Weather [UPDATED]

[UPDATED: 5:10 a.m.]  Duke University and Duke University Health System remain on regular schedule Wednesday.

Crews worked through the night and early morning treating walkways and roads. Officials continue to urge caution due to the potential of ice. A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Durham and surrounding counties until 9 a.m., but no additional accumulation is expected. While roads and walkways on campus are in good condition, individuals are encouraged to use caution while traveling on and around campus and allow extra time for travel. Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing throughout the day and icy patches could exist, especially on elevated surfaces.

[UPDATED: 7:25 p.m.]  

As Duke officials continue to monitor weather, classes and work are currently scheduled as normal for Wednesday, Jan. 22.

The National Weather Service anticipates around a half inch of snow to fall in Durham overnight, although most accumulation will happen north of the county, near the Virginia border. Overnight temperatures in Durham and its surrounding counties are expected to remain in the teens as a cold front passes through North Carolina. Precipitation is expected to end around midnight for central North Carolina.

Original story as follows:

The National Weather Service has reported a winter weather advisory that will last from 4 p.m. today through midnight.

Duke officials will be closely monitoring weather conditions and will communicate updates as conditions warrant, but at this time plan to operate on a normal schedule. 

Current forecasts indicate that rain will turn to light snow as temperatures fall this afternoon, although no accumulation is predicted. As temperatures drop tonight, there is potential for ice to form on roads and bridges.

Given the possibility of inclement weather, staff members should review Duke's severe weather and emergency conditions policy and discuss with their managers what they should do if the policy is activated.

During times of severe weather, some staff positions require on-site presence to continue operations. To ensure continuous operations of patient care, student support and research functions, managers should assign all jobs to one of three service categories:

* Essential Service: During severe weather or emergency conditions, essential service staff report or remain at work. Transportation service and childcare services may be provided for those required to work during severe weather or emergency conditions.

* Reserve Service: During severe weather or emergency conditions, these staff are assigned a status at the time of the event.

* Delayed Service: During severe weather or emergency conditions, these staff do not report to or remain at work.

Future updates will be posted on Duke Today as conditions warrant.