As winter storm grounds flights and shuts down Iowa campuses, Grinnell College yet to decide on Monday classes
Scarlet & Black 2025-11-29
As a post-Thanksgiving winter storm blankets Iowan cities and roads with snow, Grinnell College administration has not yet decided on whether to cancel classes on Monday, Dec. 1.
The news comes as flights across the country face delays and cancellations, as authorities warn against travel over the weekend, and as other Iowan universities cancel classes Monday due to potential for hazardous road conditions, including Drake University and Iowa State University.
The College is monitoring the forecast and road conditions, and anticipates improved travel conditions closer to Monday, Ellen de Graffenreid, vice president of communications and marketing, wrote in an email to The S&B.
“Grinnell rarely cancels all classes, and then only for extremely dangerous, cold or impassable roads,” de Graffenreid stated. “Otherwise, it is up to faculty to cancel their classes as they believe is appropriate.”
She added that the current forecast indicates the snow stopping overnight and road conditions improving through the day Sunday and that Facilities Management is working to clear sidewalks and parking lots on campus.
Grinnell is currently under a winter storm warning until Sunday, Nov. 30 at 6 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Similarly to Grinnell College, the University of Iowa has yet to comment on whether classes will be dismissed on Monday.
Meanwhile, Iowa State University wrote in their announcement canceling Monday classes that “as always, university leaders encourage employees and students to put safety first when deciding to travel to campus during the winter months.”
According to the Iowa State Patrol, there have been 354 calls for service on state roads between Friday, Nov. 28, noon and Saturday, Nov. 29, noon. That number includes 105 crashes covered and 249 motorist assists.
According to FlightAware, over 2,000 flights have been canceled nationwide on Saturday alone as snowy weather hits the upper Midwest, with Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a frequent hub for students returning to campus, being among the most affected. Chicago Midway Airport follows as the second most affected, with Des Moines International ranking seventh nationwide.
The Des Moines International airport has seen 6.9 inches of snow as of 2 p.m. on Nov. 29.
