Lead
University of Wisconsin–Madison announced on Jan. 22 that all classes scheduled for Friday, Jan. 23, are canceled because an Extreme Cold Warning covers Dane County. The warning runs from midnight to 1 p.m. on Friday and forecasts wind chill values between -30°F and -40°F. The cancellation applies to lectures, labs and discussion sections; other campus operations will continue. Students and staff are advised to take precautions against frostbite and limited outdoor exposure.
Key Takeaways
- All class meetings at UW–Madison are canceled for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, including lectures, labs and discussion sections.
- An Extreme Cold Warning for Dane County is in effect from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday, with wind chills expected between -30°F and -40°F.
- Campus buildings and core services, including University Housing, the Wisconsin Union and food services, will operate on normal schedules.
- Employees are expected to report to work as scheduled; staff who cannot report should notify supervisors and arrange alternate work or leave.
- Parking permits will not be required Friday in campus lots 16, 26, 34, 45, 57, 59 and 60, and off-campus lots 202, 204 and 206 served by shuttles.
- All UW Athletics events, including Men’s and Women’s Hockey, are expected to proceed as planned unless otherwise announced.
Background
Midwinter cold snaps are a recurring hazard for Madison, where a combination of low temperatures and wind can produce dangerously low wind chills. The National Weather Service issues an Extreme Cold Warning when forecast conditions pose a high risk of frostbite or hypothermia in a short period. Universities often weigh safety, transit availability and operational needs when deciding whether to suspend classes or close campuses.
UW–Madison operates a range of services that students and staff rely on during winter, from residence facilities to campus transit and dining. The campus has established inclement weather policies that differentiate between canceling classes and closing campus operations; only the chancellor or an authorized designee may order broader suspensions or building closures. That framework aims to keep essential services running while limiting unnecessary outdoor exposure for the campus community.
Main Event
On Jan. 22, UW–Madison posted an official notice that every class meeting scheduled for Friday, Jan. 23, is canceled because the Extreme Cold Warning will place the campus at elevated risk for cold-related injuries. The notice specifies that the cancellation covers lectures, laboratory sessions and discussion sections. Students are instructed to contact course instructors with any questions about missed content or make-up requirements.
University officials clarified that the cancellation affects classes only; campus buildings will remain open and services such as University Housing, the Wisconsin Union and food services will operate on their normal schedules. UW Athletics posted that scheduled events, including both Men’s and Women’s Hockey games, are expected to proceed as planned, barring subsequent changes from the organizers or authorities.
For employees, the university reiterated existing guidance: staff are expected to report to work unless weather prevents travel. Employees who cannot reach their workplace should notify supervisors and either arrange alternative work plans or use leave time as dictated by their department policies. To ease transportation, the university temporarily waives parking permit requirements in a set of designated campus and off-campus lots serviced by campus shuttles.
Analysis & Implications
The university’s decision to cancel classes but keep campus operations open reflects a balance between minimizing risk to students traveling to and from classes and maintaining continuity for residential students and campus services. Canceling classes reduces the number of people making short, repeated trips across campus (to multiple lectures), which lowers exposure during the window of extreme cold. At the same time, keeping housing, dining and essential operations running protects students who live on campus and rely on those facilities.
Expect operational strain on transit and support services during the warning period. Madison Metro and shuttle services are likely to experience schedule adjustments or delays; the university’s waiver of permits in select lots aims to reduce barriers for staff who must travel by car. Departments that require on-site staffing may face challenges coordinating coverage if employees cannot safely commute—this increases the importance of flexible arrangements between supervisors and staff on that day.
In the medium term, repeated extreme-cold events can have financial and academic effects: missed instruction time may require altered syllabi or make-up sessions, and university services may incur extra costs for staffing and facilities operations. Administrators will also monitor whether these conditions prompt further policy adjustments—such as remote instruction protocols or expanded transportation accommodations—if extreme cold events become more frequent or severe.
Comparison & Data
| Item | Forecast/Action | Effective Time |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme Cold Warning (Dane County) | Wind chills -30°F to -40°F | 12:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Jan. 23, 2026 |
| Campus response | All classes canceled; buildings/services open; select parking permits waived | Jan. 23, 2026 |
The table summarizes the warning parameters and the university’s immediate actions for Jan. 23. Separating class cancellation from broader campus closure is a common campus practice that preserves essential services while limiting nonessential travel and congregation.
Reactions & Quotes
All class meetings for Friday, Jan. 23, are canceled due to the Extreme Cold Warning affecting Dane County; students should limit outdoor exposure and follow instructor guidance for missed work.
UW–Madison (official campus notice)
An Extreme Cold Warning highlights a significant risk of frostbite within minutes under the predicted wind-chill values; community members should shelter and layer clothing to avoid exposure.
National Weather Service (forecast advisory)
Employees are expected to report to work as scheduled; if travel is impaired, notify your supervisor to discuss alternate work arrangements or leave options.
UW–Madison (human resources guidance)
Unconfirmed
- Whether individual instructors will offer synchronous remote sessions or recorded alternatives for canceled class times has not been specified and will vary by course.
- Although Athletics events are expected to proceed, final decisions about specific contests could change if organizers or authorities update safety guidance.
- Exact shuttle or Madison Metro schedule adjustments and potential delays for Jan. 23 had not been posted at the time of the university announcement.
Bottom Line
UW–Madison has canceled all classes for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in direct response to an Extreme Cold Warning for Dane County forecasting wind chills between -30°F and -40°F. The move aims to reduce nonessential outdoor activity during the window of greatest risk while keeping campus facilities and services available to those who live or work on campus.
Students should contact instructors about missed material and take standard cold-weather precautions; employees unable to report should coordinate with supervisors per department policies. Monitor official university channels, the National Weather Service and transit providers for any updates that could affect events or campus operations beyond the current announcement.
Sources
- UW–Madison news (official campus notice) — university announcement
- National Weather Service — federal weather forecast and warnings
- Madison Metro — local transit schedules and service alerts
- 511 Wisconsin — statewide road and travel conditions
- UW Transportation Services — campus parking and shuttle information