Posts Tagged ‘Weather’

Weather Turns For Worse, College Continues Operation

The weather has gotten worse since about 5 PM today…the snow has changed over to ice, making walking conditions nearly impossible.  Physical Plant was trying to drive up the mall around 6 PM, leading to spinning tires and a nearly-spun blue panel van.  Supposedly they have been doing preventative salting and ice-removal

Ice is going to be building up throughout the night, causing dangerous conditions for students who are lucky enough to have morning classes.  Just keep your safety walking tips in mind and stay safe…unless the college does cancel classes tomorrow.  But the college hasn’t taken a snow day in 40 years.  The last day of classes missed was a couple years ago when a transformer blew and campus had no power for a couple days.

So odds are low on not having classes tomorrow.  But be safe no matter what guys and gals.

Keep Safe Since We'll Have School Tomorrow No Matter What

Well, the weather is going to suck tomorrow.  No matter what.  There’s a huge front extending from Texas to here, and it’s going to dump a lot of snow and ice.  So, while many schools around the area are closing for tomorrow and beyond, the college is expecting students to trudge out into the potentially dangerous weather.  But don’t worry, MC is providing these tips for a safer walk across campus (instead of at least cancelling morning classes).

A winter storm watch has let us know that there is the potential for five or more inches of snow over the next few days. The Physical Plant is ready to act to keep walking surfaces cleaned and treated. But, this is still a good time to remind us all that caution, planning, and staying alert will help prevent winter slips and falls. Please consider the following guidelines:

• Try to wear shoes that support your foot and provide a solid foundation.
• Non-skid soles are recommended.
• Try to wear bright, light colored or reflective clothing. It will make you more visible to traffic.
• Be aware when crossing the street that cars may have trouble stopping on ice.
• Resist the temptation to take the well worn short cut across the lawn. It may be packed with snow and ice and probably will not be treated.
• Take shorter steps and walk at a slower pace.
• Stop occasionally to break the momentum.
• Give yourself sufficient time to reach your destination.
• Watch for “black ice”. (extra thin, nearly invisible ice)
• Try not to carry too much of a load.
• Use handrails when you are on steps and plant your feed firmly on each step.
• Be prepared for a fall and think about safe falling techniques. (Do not lock your arms. Round your back and tuck your chin if falling backwards, etc.)
• When you finally reach your destination, clean off your shoes at the door and watch for wet floors.

The Physical Plant will be doing their best to keep sidewalks and steps cleared of snow and ice, but we would remind you of the following information:

• During normal working hours faculty, staff, and students can call ext. 4790 or 4791 to report areas that need to be treated or retreated.
• After normal working hours call Campus Police at 4611.
• While it is not expected that you self help with ice and snow removal, there will be salt boxes at the entrances to most of the campus buildings that have steps. The Physical Plant staff treats the surfaces with that salt. However, if there is immediate, emergent conditions people are welcome to use the salt until Physical Plant staff can reach the area.

Weather Warming Up Today

Time to put away the jackets and hoodies.

Well, kinda.

It’s currently 36 degees Farenheit as I type this.  And sometime today, the high is expected to eclipse 50 degrees.  Heck Yes!

Enjoy the warm weather while it is upon us, as temps fall back to the low 40′s and mid 30′s for the weekend.  Oh well.

Weather Outlook for Your Drive

I hope that everybody has a Happy Thanksgiving and is able to enjoy the day with friends and family.  I also hope that you’re able to get home safely, so I wanted to make a note of the weather buttons that Writing On The Mall has.  On the bar to the right, you can see the current weather conditions for Marietta, Cleveland, Cincinnatti, and Pittsburg.  The image in the background shows current conditions (sunny, cloudy, rain, snow, etc, etc), while the tempreture and time is displayed.

While your drive won’t be as bad as it was for those of us who trekked through the blizzard that hit Ohio last Spring, expect areas of light to moderate snow as the day progresses through most parts of Ohio.  Just keep both hands on the steering wheel, the defrosters on high, and both eyes on the road, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a safe, simple drive.