If you think the weather might be bad enough to close the
university, here are three ways you can check:

1. Call the Johns Hopkins Weather Emergency Line at 410-516-7781 or,
from areas where Baltimore is a long-distance call, dial 1-800-548-9004,
or

2. Go to the emergency notices Web page at
http://webapps.jhu.edu/emergencynotices

3. Call my office and listen to the voice mail.  If I know something 
relevant, I will alter the voice mail announcement to reflect it.   
Also check your email, in case I send something to the class.

Keep in mind that I will make every effort to come in spite of the weather 
unless the University closes.  Since students come from a broad region and 
conditions may vary, you will need to make your own decision about the 
suitability of travel in your area.  

Though Johns Hopkins does notify local news media when it closes, cancels
classes or opens at a later than normal hour, there are several reasons
why you should rely instead on the Weather Emergency Line or the emergency
notices Web page:

* The phone line and Web page make information on Johns Hopkins available
as soon as a decision is made. Both are updated as soon as there is new
information.

* Both the phone line and Web page are available to you at all times. If
you rely on TV or radio, you have to wait until the Johns Hopkins
announcement comes around.

* TV and radio will not broadcast announcements when Johns Hopkins remains
open, only when it is closed or has a delayed opening. The phone line and
Web page will provide you with information any time the weather is
questionable, even if it's just that the university is open as usual.

* The phone line and Web page will provide the most complete and accurate
weather emergency information available on Johns Hopkins. TV and radio
stations must report on dozens or even hundreds of institutions. They do
not have time to broadcast everything you need to know, including
information on outpatient clinics, snow day shuttle bus operations, and
library and rec center closings.

After an overnight storm, the first information is usually posted on the
Weather Emergency Line and emergency notices Web page by 6 a.m., with
frequent updates thereafter in a major storm. Decisions on evening classes
for part-time students are usually made by 1 p.m.

The university's policy on weather-related closings is online, at
http://www.jhu.edu/~hr1/pol-man/appdxj.htm

One last piece of advice: Dress appropriately during snowy weather.
Because of the importance of its teaching, patient care, and research
missions, the university remains open whenever possible. Crews work very
hard to make campus roads, sidewalks and parking lots passable. But they
will not be perfect. You should wear appropriate boots or shoes and you
should walk very carefully, even in areas that have been cleared.