Ithaca College students returning for the Spring semester could face an icy reception on their journey back to campus as Winter Storm Harper threatens to disrupt travel the weekend before classes begin.

The National Weather Service has not released an estimate of how much snow might accumulate but said that the storm is expected to hit Ithaca with heavy snow from Saturday night into Sunday and clear out by Monday night. Classes begin the following Tuesday on Jan. 22.

The storm is also expected to impact other parts of the Northeast and some parts of the Midwest as well.

Dave Maley, public relations officer at the college, said it is important for students to be vigilant when traveling back to campus.

“We certainly advise students to pay attention to the weather forecasts, especially since conditions may be very different depending upon where they are returning to Ithaca from and how they travel here, as well as when they are planning to return,” he said. “We hope everyone will take precautions and travel safely.”

Maley said students that plan to return early can see when their residence hall opens on the Office of Residential Life website. He also said it is important to remember that the dining facilities do not open early.

In anticipation of heavy snow in the Ithaca area, please check our website for more info on arriving early or later to avoid inclement weather: https://t.co/KFejlZppNb or contact us at 607-274-3141 pic.twitter.com/kGOQyPwqfg

— IC Residential Life (@icreslife) January 16, 2019