Around Madison, Wis., snow and wind are part of winterâ??s backdrop, like frosty breath and ice fishing; students rarely expect a seasonal reprieve. But the storm that whipped through the upper Midwest on Wednesday was no ordinary blizzard.
For the first time in nearly 45 years, officials at the University of Wisconsin-Madison canceled all Wednesday classes â?? the night before â?? and directed all non-essential employees to stay home, affecting about 15,000 faculty and staff. By morning, roads were impassible, conditions dangerous.