Today’s forecast: spine-chillin’ icky.

If the meteorologists are correct, Iowa State students can expect today the nastiest weather to hit campus this young year. Near-blizzard conditions are expected. But the real bite will be the cold, with temperatures forecasted to dive to 70 degrees, below zero that is.

Most agree that little good can come out of such extreme weather — unless of course you happen to be a student.

John Anderson, interim director of university relations, said, “There is always a chance of calling off classes, but only if conditions became so severe that it would endanger students’ health.”

Classes have been cancelled a number of times in ISU’s history. But it wasn’t until almost 30 years ago that classes were called off for the first time.

That fateful day was Jan. 4, 1971, when it snowed so much that it was impossible for students to get back to Ames after the winter break. And the next day off? Jan. 5 — of the same year. That’s a lot a snow.

The university was then still running on a quarter schedule.

“The only time Iowa State classes have ever shut down due to extreme cold was Feb. 3 of 1996,” Anderson said. The temperatures had dropped, with wind chill, to the negative 70-degree range.

There’s a good chance it could get that cold today, said Mark Badden, chief meteorologist at WOI News Channel 5.

Northwest winds are expected to get up to 50 mph.

With yesterday’s fresh batch of the white stuff, blowing snow is also a concern, Badden said. The Ames area could see near white-outs.

Badden said he is expecting the harsh conditions to continue through this afternoon. Actual temperatures throughout the state will remain in the single digits.

The decision to cancel classes is made by Provost John Kozak; vice president for business and finance, Warren Madden; and President Martin Jischke.

“When the decision to cancel classes has been made, we here at the University Relations Office will get the word out,” Anderson said.

While “getting the word out” ISU officials call two dozen media outlets throughout central Iowa, making sure to contact radio and television stations where there are high concentrations of commuter students.

Classes at ISU have been called off 16 times since 1971 because of winter conditions. The only other day classes have been called off was July 9, 1993 because of severe flooding.

Severe conditions forced the cancelation last night of ISU’s extended and continuing education classes at DMACC in Ankeny.