February 21, 2026
To: All Resident Students
Subject: Blizzard Warning & Staying Safe
Dear Seawolves,
A hazardous weather outlook is in effect from Sunday, February 22 through Monday,
February 23, with the potential for significant snowfall. As the University continues to monitor the forecast, we would like to share important
reminders regarding inclement weather safety. Facilities and emergency staff will
actively monitor conditions and respond as needed throughout the storm. Your safety
and well-being are our top priority.
Timing of the Storm:
Snow will begin on Sunday, but is expected to be heaviest from Sunday evening into Monday.
You are strongly encouraged to avoid travel during the blizzard due to the potential for hazardous sidewalk and road conditions; however, if you absolutely
must travel, be alert to your surroundings and factor in time delays from road conditions
and impacted transit services.
Storm-related Service Changes:
Please take note of the following impacted operations:
- In the event offices are closed due to inclement weather, please contact your Resident Assistant (RA) for any housing-related issues. RAs will be on duty to assist you throughout this time. RAs are accessible throughout the weekend via the duty phone.
- With unsafe weather expected on Sunday and potentially Monday, please plan ahead by taking meals to-go on Sunday from the dining locations to ensure you don’t have to leave your residence hall/apartment. West Side and East Side Dining will have snack bags and to-go containers available. For information about campus dining services and hours of operation, please visitstonybrook.edu/dining.
- The Student Activities Center (SAC) will close at 5pm tomorrow (Sunday).
- The Walter J. Hawrys Recreation Center and the Stony Brook Union will close at 9pm tomorrow (Sunday).
- The Seawolves Pantry will hold special hours tomorrow (Sunday) from 10am to noon.
- For information about other campus offices or services, please visit their respective websites.
Staying Safe During a Winter Storm:
To help maintain a safe living environment during severe winter weather, please remember:
- Keep windows closed and locked to prevent heat loss and frozen pipes.
- Do not block radiators, vents, or heaters.
- Prohibited heating devices, including space heaters and candles, are not permitted in residence halls.
- Ensure you have adequate food in your room. Because of the storm, meal delivery services may be limited or unavailable, so we encourage you not to rely on delivery options.
We would also like to remind you about the dangers of walking onto frozen ponds or other bodies of water. Though temperatures have been rather cold and ice has formed on some water surfaces, it is best practice to acknowledge that no ice is safe ice—and to stay off of it. Possible consequences of engaging in such reckless behavior include hypothermia, shock, injury, incapacitation, or drowning/death.
Remember: In the event of an emergency, call University Police at (631) 632-3333.
Stay warm this winter! Adding layers will help keep you warm as temperatures drop.
- Chilly recommends 1–2 layers, long pants, warm waterproof shoes, and an outer layer to block wind or rain.
- Cold recommends 2–3 layers, a warm hat, gloves, waterproof boots, and an outer layer to keep out wind or wet snow.
- Extreme Cold recommends 3 or more layers, including at least one insulating layer, a warm hat,
a face covering, gloves, waterproof boots, and an outer layer to block wind.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Area Office or Resident Assistant on Duty.
Please continue to monitor your Stony Brook University email address, SB ALERT, and theStony Brook University Emergency Management website. The University will send an email to the campus community with updates tomorrow (Sunday) late afternoon and the Division of Student Affairs will then send a follow-up email to all resident students with additional information regarding Monday’s plans.
Be safe, Seawolves!
Campus Residences