ITHACA, N.Y. — In anticipation of the snow, wind and dangerously low temperatures expected Friday and Saturday, closings and delays are beginning to roll in.
As a “bomb cyclone” heads to the East Coast, locally the National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook, a wind chill warning and a winter weather advisory in effect until early Sunday.
Related: 5 tips for Tompkins County residents bracing themselves for a frigid weekend
Ithaca and Tompkins County may see some snow accumulation, between two and five inches, but what officials are really warning about is the low temperatures and wind chill. Wind chills could range from 15 to 30 below zero, according to the NWS. At that temperature, frostbite could occur in as little as 10 minutes to exposed skin.
The wind and snow could also create travel difficulties at times, causing slippery roads and drifting snow.
Ahead of the coming bad weather, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit has announced it will offer free rides Friday and Saturday.
With the conditions bad for Friday and Saturday, many places have started to announce cancellations and delays. The Ithaca Voice has started a list of closures. Check back for updates. If anyone would like to add a location to the list, please send an email to Reporter Kelsey O’Connor at koconnor@ithacavoice.com.
Closings for Thursday, Jan. 4
SCHOOLS
- Ithaca City School District: All Ithaca City School District-sponsored after-school and evening activities are canceled due to inclement weather. There will be no late bus transportation.
- Trumansburg Central School District: Due to pending weather conditions, all after school activities have been cancelled, there will be no ski bus, no late bus, no practices, no sporting events, and all students will be dismissed at 2:45 p.m. The Trumansburg After School Program will remain open until all students have been picked up.
- Groton Central School District: No after school activities.
- Dryden Central School District: After school activities are postponed. All students are to ride the first bus home.
- Lansing Central School District: All extra curricular activities after 3:10 p.m. Thursday are canceled.
- Spencer-Van Etten Central School District: All after school activities canceled.
- Newfield Central School District: After school activities canceled.
- Tompkins Cortland Community College: Closing at 4 p.m.
- Ithaca Montessori School: No after school activities.
OTHER
- Lansing Community Library: Closing early at 4 p.m.
- Tompkins County Public Library: Closing early at 6:30 p.m.
Closings for Friday, Jan. 5
SCHOOLS
- Groton Central School District: Closed.
- Lansing Central School District: Closed.
- Spencer-Van Etten Central School District: Closed.
- Newfield Central School District: Closed.
- Trumansburg Central School District: Closed
- Tompkins Cortland Community College: Closed
- Wells College: Closed. (The college will remain closed until 8:30 a.m. Monday. Campus Safety and other essential services will remain in operation, and meals will continue to be served to students currently on campus.)
- Ithaca City School District: Closed.
- Dryden Central School District: Closed.
EVENTS
- Tompkins County Public Library: Gallery Night events at the Tompkins County Public Library Jan. 5 are canceled due to impending inclement weather. The next Gallery Night event at the Library will be held on February 2, 2018, kicking off the first of the year’s exhibits on “Identity” and introducing the inaugural Artist-in-Residence.
OTHER
- Tompkins Community Action: Closed.
- Lansing Community Library: Closed.
- Finger Lakes Independence Center: Closed.
- Opportunities, Alternatives and Resources: Closed.
- Foodnet Meals on Wheels: Closed.
Saturday, Jan. 6
OTHER
- Food scrap drop offs closed. Drop spot locations include: Danby Town Hall, Dryden Town Highway Department, East Hill Plaza, Lansing Village Office, Tompkins County Highway Department on Bostwick Road and Trumansburg Village Public Works. More from Tompkins County Recycling and Materials Management:
Residents are urged to plan ahead and utilize the food scraps drop off at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center in Ithaca, or either of the two Drop Spots open on Sunday at the Cayuga Heights Village Office or Cornell Cooperative Extension on Willow Avenue in Ithaca.
“Our utmost concern is for the safety of our Drop Spot attendants,” said Recycling and Materials Management Director Barbara Eckstrom. “We feel making this decision in advance allows for residents to make alternative arrangements, and keeps our attendants safe and warm. We thank the public for its understanding, and apologize for any inconvenience.”
A complete list of Drop Spots and their hours of operation can be found at: www.recycletompkins.org/
Recycling/Food-Scraps- .Recycling