On Nov. 8, Colorado Springs received eight inches of snow, breaking the previous daily record of 2.6 inches set in 1975. The winter storm still has the UCCS Facility Services Department assessing damages.
With record breaking numbers for snowfall across the city last week, the university closed campus on Nov. 7 and 8 and delayed opening on Nov. 6 and 10. While they assess the damage, facility services are preparing for the next storm and will make any adjustments if needed.
“We’re still assessing all the damage that happened. For big storms like this, we usually have issues putting the snow somewhere,” said Maintenance Services Manager Rick Landis.
When expecting inclement weather, UCCS officials begin monitoring incoming storms when they are initially forecasted. According to past Scribe reporting, representatives from multiple areas of campus meet the night before a storm to evaluate potential school delays and/or cancellations. When making decisions, the main road and campus facilities conditions are the most impactful factors.
Jeff Reed, executive director of facilities management and operations, noted that facilities is managing limited staffing, particularly with inclement weather tasks. “We need to balance immediate needs with available resources,” he said. Facilities prioritizes essential areas such as main walkways, building entrances, bus stops and parking lots to ensure they are accessible and safe for everyone on campus.
Officials begin to evaluate the storm’s potential effects approximately 24 to 48 hours in advance. At 4 a.m. the morning of the storm, facilities and UCCS Police hold a final meeting to discuss if the campus will be delayed or closed. The decision is typically announced by 6 a.m.
In the case of an early closure, UCCS tries to notify students, staff and faculty members at least two hours before; however, due to unpredictable weather conditions, that is not always possible. If campus is closed early, the shuttles will stop running 30 minutes before the scheduled closure.
Anyone with a UCCS email automatically receives an email notifying them of delays and closures. Announcements are communicated via the UCCS website, UCCS social media accounts and television broadcasts. Students and employees can also register with UCCS Alerts to receive text message alerts or call UCCS Police to ask about closures.
With intense cold weather happening earlier in the season than normal, a weather inversion happened on campus. On Oct. 31, facilities services notified the student body via email of a weather inversion following reports of a gas smell.
According to Reed, an inversion forms when the temperature increases with height in the atmosphere, and cooler air is trapped near the ground’s surface. An inversion also traps any moisture or pollutants in the air like smoke which can create bad odors.
To combat the cold, students can dress in layers and equip their vehicles with all-weather tires and winter essentials such as blankets, snacks and a portable charger in case of an emergency.
Reed noted students should keep their dorm or house windows closed and thermostats set at 65 degrees or higher to prevent water pipes from freezing. It’s also important to be vigilant when walking and keep an eye out for icy walkways and cars that could become uncontrollable.
A student walks through El Pomar Plaza on Nov. 6. Photo by Lillian Davis.