The University of Kentucky has announced the cancellation of all in-person classes on Monday, January twenty-six, as a severe winter storm approaches the region, bringing hazardous conditions that could jeopardise student and staff safety.

Officials told the university community that in-person instruction and campus activities will not take place on that date, but essential services, including UK HealthCare facilities, will continue operating on their regular schedules.

The decision reflects concerns about forecasts of significant winter weather, including the potential for freezing rain, sleet and ice accumulation that could make travel to and from campus dangerous for students and employees alike.

In a notice to the university, administrators emphasised that the closure affects all classroom-based instruction and related events, without altering the operational status of critical healthcare services provided by the institution.

The announcement follows broader regional responses to the incoming winter system, with multiple school districts and colleges in other parts of the United States also cancelling sessions on January twenty-six because of similar weather risks.

Across affected states, officials have cited icy roads, low temperatures and safety hazards as key factors in the decision-making process, prioritising the well-being of students, faculty and staff.

The university’s update encourages the community to monitor local weather reports and university communications for any further changes to scheduling or operations as January twenty-six approaches, and to prepare for the continuing impacts of the winter storm on travel and daily routines.