Penn announced that normal University operations will be suspended on Monday due to winter weather.
Per University policy, classes will not report in person on Jan. 26. According to a Sunday statement from Penn’s Division of Public Safety, only essential services — DPS, Dining Services, Facilities and Real Estate Services, and the University of Pennsylvania Health System — will continue operating.
“Normal University operations are suspended for Monday, January 26, 2026 due to inclement weather,” the email stated.
As of Saturday evening, the national weather forecast predicted between six and ten inches of snow and sleet in the Philadelphia area.
The University's announcement encouraged Penn community members to “please exercise caution and take your time in traveling to campus.” It was released as a UPennAlert at 5:00 p.m. on Jan. 25.
At a Friday press conference, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker — who graduated from the Fels Institute of Government at Penn in 2016 — declared that a snow emergency will be in effect in the city starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday.
Philadelphia declares snow emergencies when winter storms are expected to create dangerous conditions for pedestrians or drivers. Parker specifically instructed residents to limit “unnecessary” travel and to avoid driving if “conditions become hazardous.”
SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer also announced that customers should expect impacts to SEPTA’s bus, trolley, and Regional Rail services due to the storm.
“We will only operate for as long as it is safe to do so,” Sauer said during the press conference. He added that service shutdowns would be announced at least two hours before taking effect.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also signed a state-wide disaster declaration on Friday, ensuring the necessary resources for agencies in case of an emergency.
A Thursday email to the Penn community detailed notification methods and attendance expectations in the case of “weather-related campus operation suspension or modification.”
The Jan. 22 message — authored by Provost John Jackson Jr., Executive Vice President Mark Dingfield, and Vice President of the Division of Public Safety Kathleen Shields Anderson — reiterated University policies on the suspension of formal operations.
On Friday, Superintendent Tony Watlington Sr. announced that all Philadelphia School District school buildings will be closed on Monday. Walington encouraged students and staff to “enjoy the snow.”
Penn last suspended operations due to winter weather in January 2024 — a decision that required Panhellenic recruitment to be conducted virtually.
Isha Chitirala is a News Editor at The Daily Pennsylvanian and can be reached at chitirala@thedp.com. At Penn, she studies economics and political science. Follow her on X @IshaChitirala.
Finn Ryan is a News Editor at The Daily Pennsylvanian and can be reached at ryan@thedp.com. At Penn, he studies English and political science. Follow him on X @FinnRyan_.
