It's the first time OU has closed because of weather since last January.
In an alert sent out Wednesday afternoon, Ohio University announced it would close its Athens campus at 1 a.m. Thursday. The university is expected to reopen at 1 a.m. Friday.
In an email, OU urged students to exercise caution on campus and "walk like a penguin" if needed.
Other tips included to dress in layers and take extra time when walking to and from destinations.
Essential personnel, including those in facilities and Culinary Services, must report to work as scheduled. Students employed in those sectors will be contacted by their supervisors.
On its website Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service was forecasting a high of 5-degrees Fahrenheit for Thursday — with an expected wind chill value as low as -15.
According to OU's Scalia Lab, clear skies could drop temperatures as low as -20 degrees — without factoring in windchill — before Friday morning.
The last time OU closed for winter weather conditions was in February 2014.
When OU closed because of cold temperatures for 36 hours late last January, the low temperature was -16 at 8 a.m. Jan. 28, according to OU's Scalia Lab.
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According to the university's official procedures, OU President Roderick McDavis or his designee closes classes if there is a wind chill twenty degrees below zero or a Level 3 snow emergency.
A wind chill advisory will also be in effect for Athens from 9 p.m. Wednesday until 1 a.m. Friday.
According to previous Post reporting, OU closed Jan. 28, 2009 due to snow and June 30, 2012 due to intense wind and a severe thunderstorm known as a “derecho."
Wednesday night's Distinguished Professor Lecture in the Baker Theater was also postponed.
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Update 4:10 p.m.
Wednesday night's women's basketball game against EMU has not been canceled and will continue as scheduled.
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@SamuelHHoward
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