By Jeff Craig and Matthew Woodrow

Winter arrived in full force Monday night – dumping almost 4 inches of snow and sleet across the Big Country and canceling classes at all three Abilene universities.

Joel Dunn, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Angelo, said 3.4 inches of snow was recorded in Abilene. However, he said some locations across town saw upwards of 6 inches. Dunn said the snow event is likely over, but the snow that has fallen is likely to stick around.

“You might see some flurries, but nothing accumulating, ” Dun said. “However, the snow that has fallen isn’t going anywhere because we are not going to get above freezing for a while.”

Dunn said Wednesday’s high temperature would struggle to reach 20 degrees and lows Wednesday night will plummet to around 10 degrees. However, winds out of the north will make it feel even colder. He said wind chills on Wednesday and Wednesday night may drop below 0 degrees.

“With wind chills like that you need to make sure you don’t leave skin exposed,” Dunn said. “Bundle up, wear gloves and hats and don’t get out if you don’t have too.”

Dunn said roads would refreeze over night, meaning most roads will be treacherous on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. He said temperatures would get above freezing by Friday

The snowfall and subsequent day off from school gave students a chance to get outside and enjoy the winter weather. Austin Cole, freshman undeclared major from Abilene used to snow day as a chance to snowboard behind Smith and Adams Halls.

“It’s awesome,” Cole said. “I’ve been snowboarding a couple of times this year, but this is great.”

Steven Peterson, senior information technology major from Abilene, also took the chance to snowboard behind the dorm.

“We’re making a snowboard ramp right now, we’re going to come down this hill and most likely crash ourselves into the snow,” Peterson said. “It may have had more snow last year, but its definitely more windy and colder than last year.”

Sara Beth Almquist, junior interior design major from Spring, said she thought is was extremely cold outside, but she was enjoying the rare chance to play in the snow. Almquist and her friends rolled down the hill in barrels behind Smith and Adams.

“It’s fun to get a day off to hang out with friends,” Almquist said. “The snow really brings out the best in everyone.”

Others took the snow day as an opportunity to stay inside and enjoy the company of friends. Danielle Bryant, senior family studies major from Mart and resident assistant in Smith and Adams, and her fellow residence life staff served a pancake breakfast in the dorm.

“We have pancake night every other Thursday and we thought it would be a splendid idea to have one this morning because everyone is cooped up inside and hungry,” Bryant said. “We’ve already made 75 pancakes; we’ll probably end up making around 150.”

Kelsey Roberts, freshman speech pathology major from Coppell, said the snow day was a good chance to hang out with friends.

“Anything can happen on a snow day,” Roberts said. “We’ll probably make some snow angels, snow men and snow balls.”