UPDATE: The Ames Police Department posted the following message on their Facebook page:

“We have reports of cars getting stuck on Dakota and 13th Street hills. If you can find a way to get where you are going without a steep hill, it would be a really good idea. The plows are out, but it is going to be hard to stay ahead of the snow at the rate it is falling.”

ISU News Service has announced that classes will be canceled and university offices will be closing beginning at 12:40 p.m.

Only “essential” employees need to come to or stay at work. These employees include police, security, critical maintenance, snow/ice removal, food service, animal care and power plant.

All Greek events tonight are canceled because of the inclement weather. Parks Library will also be closing at 12:40 p.m., expecting to reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Friday. 

Recreation services also will be closing at 1 p.m., which include State Gym, Beyer Hall, Foker and Lied Recreation centers. All recreation centers are expected to reopen at 6 a.m. on Friday.

William Gallus, professor of meteorological and atmospheric sciences, said travel conditions are critical and travel is not advised.

The sleet is covering the roads right now and road conditions are expected to get worse at 1 p.m. and the Ames area is expected to get four to six inches of snow. Gallus said winds will pick up to 40 to 50 mph gusts.

Sheri Kyras with CyRide said they will continue to run today. Since classes have been canceled, they currently have more buses out on the routes to get students where they need to go.

Kyras said riders can follow CyRide on Facebook, Twitter or their website to get updates and notifications. She advised that since buses may be delayed, students should use the Next Bus system to find out when the bus they need will arrive rather than waiting at the bus stop.

Check back with the Daily for updates throughout the afternoon.