Prepare for Colder Temperatures

The National Weather Service has announced changes in our weather pattern, predicting freezing temperatures from the evening of Thursday, October 17, through Sunday, October 20. This weather shift will impact all ISU campus locations. Some regions in Idaho may experience high winds, and snow is expected in higher elevations.   

With this sudden shift in weather, the Department of Public Safety wanted to remind students, faculty, and staff of the importance of preparing for cold weather conditions at home, outdoors, and on and around the ISU campus. Here are a few ways to prepare for cold weather. 

• Check the forecast. Use weather.gov or your favorite weather app or station to review the weather forecast early and often. Try to make this part of your routine, especially before traveling or working outdoors.
• Prepare your vehicle. During extreme cold, ensure you have at least a half a tank of fuel and have a winter survival kit in your car.
• Dress for cold weather. Dressing in layers, keeping feet, hands, and head well covered, and wearing waterproof footwear will help keep you warm as the temperatures drop.
• Stock up on essentials. Have a supply of bottled water (at least 3 gallons per person) and non-perishable foods available at home. If possible, choose groceries with a long shelf life that do not require cooking and are high in protein. Don’t forget to stock up on hygiene items, medications, and supplies for your pets.
• Use caution when walking around campus. Remember that sidewalks and stairways may be slick. Vehicles take longer to stop on slick roads, so be aware of your surroundings, even when walking in designated crosswalks.
• Create an emergency kit. Kits should include items such as blankets, extra clothing, non-perishable food, water, a first aid kit, flashlights, and necessary medications. Ready.gov is an excellent resource for building and maintaining an emergency kit. 

As we approach colder weather, visit isu.edu/publicsafety/ to check additional safety tips, review emergency procedures, and learn more about the services we provide. 

We care about the safety of our Bengals, so please reach out to us if we can provide you with assistance or additional information. The Public Safety Dispatch Center is open 24/7, including all holidays, to assist the Bengal community. To communicate with the Department of Public Safety, you can email pubsafe@isu.edu, call (208) 282-2515, or download the Rave Guardian App.