{ "id": "2025-01-21-university-of-houston-winter-storm-enzo", "slug": "university-of-houston-winter-storm-enzo-2025-01-21", "institution": { "name": "University of Houston", "shortName": "UH", "state": "TX", "type": "public-r1", "alertSystemName": "UH ALERT", "enrollment": 46000 }, "incident": { "date": "2025-01-21", "endDate": "2025-01-22", "type": "winter-storm", "cleryCategory": "advisory", "resolution": "confirmed-threat", "headline": "First recorded Gulf Coast blizzard closes all campuses", "headlinePublic": "First recorded Gulf Coast blizzard closes all campuses", "summary": "On January 21, 2025, the University of Houston closed across its [Houston main campus and the Sugar Land and Katy campuses](https://thedailycougar.com/2025/01/29/houstons-historic-snow-day-campus-turns-into-a-winter-wonderland/), and [University of Houston-Downtown closed both Tuesday and Wednesday](https://stylemagazine.com/news/2025/jan/20/uhd-closes-campuses-for-jan-21-and-22-due-to-winter-storm/) ahead of [Winter Storm Enzo's blizzard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Gulf_Coast_blizzard), the first recorded blizzard along the Gulf Coast. Houston received about [six inches of snow](https://thedailycougar.com/2025/01/29/houstons-historic-snow-day-campus-turns-into-a-winter-wonderland/) overnight, the largest single-day snowfall since 1960.", "outcome": "UH and three satellite campuses closed for one or two days. Residence halls remained open and Moody dining hall continued breakfast, lunch, and dinner service throughout the closure. No major injuries or campus damage were reported. Students used the rare snow day for sledding on Lynn Eusan Park and Cullen Boulevard." }, "alerts": [ { "sequence": 1, "type": "initial", "timestamp": "2025-01-17T16:36:53-06:00", "channel": "sms", "verbatimText": "UH continues monitoring the potential for winter weather in the area this week. Details at www.uh.edu/emergency.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899854624211503", "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)", "annotations": [ "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)", "API startDate 2025-01-17 16:36:53" ], "characterCount": 112 }, { "sequence": 2, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2025-01-17T16:36:53-06:00", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "UH Monitoring Weather\n\nThe University of Houston is monitoring the potential for winter weather conditions in the Houston area early next week. There are no changes to UH, UH at Sugar Land or UH at Katy operations at this time. Our facilities currently remain open.\n\nPlease stay alert and remember to protect the “Four P’s”: people, pets, pipes and plants. Visit the UH Winter Weather page for more details on preparing for cold weather. Updates will continue to be posted at www.uh.edu/emergency.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899717185257595", "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)", "annotations": [ "Exact rftContent from UH ALERT API (2025-01-17 16:36:53)" ], "characterCount": 497 }, { "sequence": 3, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2025-01-19T17:00:36-06:00", "channel": "sms", "verbatimText": "The University of Houston continues monitoring the potential for winter weather in the area this week. Details at www.uh.edu/emergency. ", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899854624211443", "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)", "annotations": [ "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)", "API startDate 2025-01-19 17:00:36" ], "characterCount": 136 }, { "sequence": 4, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2025-01-19T17:00:36-06:00", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "UHD Alert:\n\nThe University of Houston-Downtown continues monitoring the potential for winter weather conditions in the Houston area early this week. A decision on Tuesday’s operations for all UHD campuses will be announced by noon Monday.\n\nPlease visit our winter weather preparedness webpage for information on how to stay safe and warm. https://www.uhd.edu/administration/emergency-management/winter-weather.aspx", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899682825519982", "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)", "annotations": [ "Exact rftContent from UH ALERT API (2025-01-19 17:00:36)" ], "characterCount": 414 }, { "sequence": 5, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2025-01-19T18:30:49-06:00", "channel": "sms", "verbatimText": "UH continues monitoring the potential for winter weather in the area this week. Details at www.uh.edu/emergency.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899854624211503", "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)", "annotations": [ "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)", "API startDate 2025-01-19 18:30:49" ], "characterCount": 112 }, { "sequence": 6, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2025-01-19T18:30:49-06:00", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "UHD Alert:\n\nThe University of Houston-Downtown continues monitoring the potential for winter weather conditions in the Houston area early this week. A decision on Tuesday’s operations for all UHD campuses will be announced by noon Monday.\n\nPlease visit our winter weather preparedness webpage for information on how to stay safe and warm. https://www.uhd.edu/administration/emergency-management/winter-weather.aspx", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899682825519982", "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)", "annotations": [ "Exact rftContent from UH ALERT API (2025-01-19 18:30:49)", "PR7 correct: re-pointed to 18:30 monitoring id 1899854624211503 (was 17:00 twin)" ], "characterCount": 414 }, { "sequence": 7, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2025-01-20T08:52:13-06:00", "channel": "sms", "verbatimText": "UH, UH at Katy and UH at Sugar Land will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21 due to expected hazardous winter weather conditions. See www.uh.edu/emergency.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899854624211944", "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)", "annotations": [ "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)", "API startDate 2025-01-20 08:52:13" ], "characterCount": 149 }, { "sequence": 8, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2025-01-20T08:52:13-06:00", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "UH, UH at Katy and UH at Sugar Land will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21 due to expected hazardous winter weather conditions. See www.uh.edu/emergency.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899854624211944", "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)", "annotations": [ "Exact rftContent from UH ALERT API (2025-01-20 08:52:13)" ], "characterCount": 149 }, { "sequence": 9, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2025-01-21T11:22:09-06:00", "channel": "sms", "verbatimText": "The Univ. of Houston, including UH at Katy and UH at Sugar Land, will remain closed Wed., Jan. 22 due to winter weather. See www.uh.edu/emergency.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899717185260963", "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)", "annotations": [ "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)", "API startDate 2025-01-21 11:22:09" ], "characterCount": 146 }, { "sequence": 10, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2025-01-21T11:22:09-06:00", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "UH Closed Wednesday, Jan. 22\n\nThe University of Houston, including UH at Katy and UH at Sugar Land, will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22 due to continued hazardous winter weather conditions. Public safety officials continue to urge everyone to stay home and off the roads. Please stay safe and remember to protect the “Four P’s”: people, pets, pipes and plants. Visit the UH Winter Weather page for more details on preparing for cold weather. Updates will continue to be posted at www.uh.edu/emergency.\n\nThe University will resume normal operations on Thursday, Jan. 23.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899717185260963", "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)", "annotations": [ "Exact rftContent from UH ALERT API (2025-01-21 11:22:09)" ], "characterCount": 574 }, { "sequence": 11, "type": "initial", "timestampApprox": "January 20, 2025 CST", "channel": "facebook", "verbatimText": "UH Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 The University of Houston, including UH at Katy and UH at Sugar Land, will be closed on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, due to severe winter weather conditions across the Houston area. All classes, including those conducted online, are canceled for the day.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://www.facebook.com/UniversityOfHouston/posts/uh-closed-tuesday-jan-21the-university-of-houston-including-uh-at-katy-and-uh-at/1006569401505402/", "sourceDescription": "Official University of Houston Facebook post and Office of the Provost email, January 20, 2025", "annotations": [ "Verbatim text from the official @UniversityOfHouston Facebook post and concurrent Office of the Provost email, January 20, 2025", "The all-online-classes-canceled language is significant: many universities maintain virtual instruction during weather closures, but UH explicitly cancelled them", "Naming UH at Katy and UH at Sugar Land in a single message (and treating UH-Downtown as a separate entity with its own closure announcement) reflects the System governance structure" ], "characterCount": 279 }, { "sequence": 12, "type": "update", "timestampApprox": "January 21, 2025 CST", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "UH Closed Wednesday, Jan. 22\n\nThe University of Houston, including UH at Katy and UH at Sugar Land, will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22 due to continued hazardous winter weather conditions. Public safety officials continue to urge everyone to stay home and off the roads. Please stay safe and remember to protect the “Four P’s”: people, pets, pipes and plants. Visit the UH Winter Weather page for more details on preparing for cold weather. Updates will continue to be posted at www.uh.edu/emergency.\n\nThe University will resume normal operations on Thursday, Jan. 23.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)", "annotations": [ "Houston main campus on the I-45/I-69 freeway grid recovers faster than UH-Downtown sites that depend on more limited surface street access, this likely drove the staggered reopening", "UH ALERT messages typically lead with 'UH ALERT:' to distinguish from routine emails, recipients are conditioned to read these as actionable notifications", "Verbatim email body from UH ALERT official API: campus remained closed Wed Jan 22 (not reopened that day); normal operations resumed Thursday Jan 23" ], "characterCount": 574, "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899717185260963" } ], "context": "The University of Houston is a [public R1 research institution](https://www.uh.edu/emergency-management/) of approximately 46,000 students with a flagship campus in central Houston plus satellite campuses in Sugar Land and Katy. The Houston-Downtown campus is governed separately within the UH System. On January 21, 2025, [Winter Storm Enzo's unprecedented Gulf Coast blizzard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Gulf_Coast_blizzard) (the first recorded blizzard along the Gulf Coast) produced about six inches of snow in central Houston overnight from January 20 into January 21, the largest single-day snowfall since 1960. UH announced the closure of its main, Sugar Land, and Katy campuses [via UH ALERT and the @UniversityOfHouston social channels](https://www.facebook.com/UniversityOfHouston/posts/welcome-to-the-home-of-the-tilman-j-fertitta-family-college-of-medicinethe-state/10159978864849876/), and [UH-Downtown announced separate two-day closures](https://stylemagazine.com/news/2025/jan/20/uhd-closes-campuses-for-jan-21-and-22-due-to-winter-storm/) for Tuesday January 21 and Wednesday January 22. Residence halls and Moody Dining Hall continued essential services. The historic snowfall produced widespread social-media celebration: students sledded on Lynn Eusan Park, [the Daily Cougar covered the rare snow day](https://thedailycougar.com/2025/01/29/houstons-historic-snow-day-campus-turns-into-a-winter-wonderland/), and Houston METRO and the city's airports also shut down during the worst of the storm. The 2025 storm dropped snow as far south as the Rio Grande Valley and the Gulf Coast cities of Pensacola and New Orleans (which received 8 inches), making it the [most significant Gulf Coast winter event since 1895](https://www.houstonlanding.org/winter-storm-enzo-brings-school-airport-closures-to-houston-as-city-preps-for-extreme-cold/).", "keyFindings": [ "UH issued one of the few unambiguous 'snow day' closures in its history; Houston's coastal subtropical climate makes snow-driven closures vanishingly rare", "Multi-campus governance complicated communications: UH (main, Sugar Land, Katy) and UH-Downtown closed under separate institutional decisions on different reopening schedules", "Including residence-hall and dining operating status in the closure message addressed a critical operational concern for the substantial residential student population", "The 2025 Gulf Coast blizzard was the first recorded blizzard along the Gulf Coast and the most significant Gulf winter event since 1895" ], "sources": [ { "title": "Houston's historic snow day: Campus turns into a Winter Wonderland (The Cougar)", "url": "https://thedailycougar.com/2025/01/29/houstons-historic-snow-day-campus-turns-into-a-winter-wonderland/", "type": "student-newspaper" }, { "title": "UHD Closes Campuses for Jan. 21 and 22 Due to Winter Storm (Houston Style Magazine)", "url": "https://stylemagazine.com/news/2025/jan/20/uhd-closes-campuses-for-jan-21-and-22-due-to-winter-storm/", "type": "local-media" }, { "title": "School closures: Houston-area districts shut down due to winter storm (KHOU)", "url": "https://www.khou.com/article/weather/school-closures-houston-area-districts-shut-down-due-to-winter-storm/285-5b124525-995d-4d53-ae3a-dceca03859be", "type": "local-media" }, { "title": "City of Houston prepares for snow and ice from Winter Storm Enzo (Houston Landing)", "url": "https://www.houstonlanding.org/winter-storm-enzo-brings-school-airport-closures-to-houston-as-city-preps-for-extreme-cold/", "type": "local-media" }, { "title": "UH ALERT Emergency Notification System", "url": "http://alerts.uh.edu/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "January 20-21, 2025 Winter Storm (NOAA story map)", "url": "https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8724fd2bbee9406fbd548f2c871c703c", "type": "other" }, { "title": "UH ALERT Notification Archive / API", "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "UH ALERT API v2 (full alert feed)", "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all?limit=500", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "UH ALERT API v2 (full alert feed)", "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all?limit=2000", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "UH ALERT API v2 (main campus)", "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "UH ALERT Notification Archive", "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899854624211503", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "UH ALERT Notification Archive", "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899682825519982", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "UH ALERT Notification Archive", "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1899854624211944", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Official University of Houston Facebook post and Office of the Provost email, January 20, 2025", "url": "https://www.facebook.com/UniversityOfHouston/posts/uh-closed-tuesday-jan-21the-university-of-houston-including-uh-at-katy-and-uh-at/1006569401505402/", "type": "official-archive" } ], "confidence": "high", "tags": [ "winter-storm", "weather", "winter-storm-enzo", "gulf-coast-blizzard", "texas", "houston", "uh-alert", "multi-campus", "historic-snowfall", "public-r1" ], "dateAdded": "2026-05-03", "lastUpdated": "2026-07-19", "addedBy": "ingestion" }