Severe weather updates for Auburn campus and Lee County
March 17, 11:35 p.m. — Significant Weather Advisory issued for eastern Lee County
- The National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama, has issued a significant weather advisory for the eastern portion of Lee County in effect until 12:15 a.m. Thursday.
- Impacted locations in Lee County include Opelika, Smiths Station, Beulah, Beans Mill and Beauregard.
March 17, 10:30 p.m. — Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Lee County
- The National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama, has issued a severe thunderstorm warning in Lee County in effect until 11:45 p.m. extending from the western county line to the core downtown area of Auburn, including Auburn University.
- The warning means Lee County may see wind gusts up to 60 mph and the potential for penny-sized hail is possible.
March 17, 6:48 p.m. — Tornado watch in Lee County extended to 3 a.m. Thursday
- The National Weather Service has extended its tornado watch, which includes the majority of counties in Alabama including Lee County, to expire at 3 a.m. early Thursday morning.
- The NWS said the statewide area has the potential to see further tornadoes, ping pong ball-size hail and widespread wind gusts up to 80 mph.
March 17, 4:40 p.m. — Auburn City Schools closing facilities early, no school Thursday
- All ACS facilities will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday and schools will remain closed Thursday.
March 17, 4:00 p.m. — AU campus buildings locked, Rec closing earlier, medical operations ending early
- Buildings on Auburn's campus locked at 4 p.m. and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
- The Recreation and Wellness Center will now close at 6 p.m. and reopen 9 a.m. Thursday.
- The AU Med Clinic closed at 3 p.m. and will reopen 8 a.m. Thursday.
- Pharmacies on campus closed at 3:30 p.m. and will reopen 9 a.m. pending University administration guidance. Those with emergencies should call 334-750-1048.
- Sentinel testing ended at 3 p.m. and will begin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
March 17, 3:49 p.m. — AU Night Security Shuttle operations will continue
- The nightly AU Security Shuttles will still run from 6 p.m. tonight through 7 a.m. tomorrow, according to Campus Safety & Security.
- Service will be suspended if high winds or hail are present during operating hours or if a tornado warning is issued for the area.
March 17, 3:05 p.m. — Campus buses stopping at 5 p.m.
- Tiger Transit buses will stop their routes at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
- Routes will resume at 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 18.
March 17, 3 p.m. — On-campus dining changes hours of operation for Wednesday
- Closing at 7 p.m.: All Melton Student Center locations
- Closing at 8 p.m.: Tiger Zone, Village Chick-Fil-A, Toro Sushi, Panda Express, South Donahue
- Closing at 9 p.m.: Village War Eagle Supply, Terrell
- Closed now: Panera Bread
- Operations will resume normally at 8 a.m. or at lunchtime tomorrow depending on the weather.
March 17, 2:24 p.m. — University classes and operations suspended at 3 p.m.
- Auburn University classes and normal operations will be suspended at 3 p.m. on account of severe weather
- Classes and operations will resume at 9 a.m. on Thursday.
- AU Campus Safety & Security recommends those in the area plan ahead by checking emergency supplies, staying tuned in to weather notifications and seeking safe shelter.
March 17, 2:17 p.m. — Lee County Humane Society closing early
- Lee County Humane Society is closing early and is not accepting additional appointments today.
- LCHS asks those with pet emergencies to contact local animal control or police.
March 17, 2:09 p.m. — City recreation facilities closed early, events canceled
- The Frank Brown Recreation Center, Dean Road Recreation Center and Yarbrough Tennis Center are closing at 3 p.m. Events, practices and classes scheduled for tonight have been canceled.
March 17, 1:15 p.m. — Tornado watch issued for Lee County
- The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Lee County in effect until 7 p.m.
- Greene Hall and Ralph Brown Draughon Library have been opened on Auburn's campus as shelters. Masks are required for those seeking safety in the facilities and social distancing precautions will be in place.
March 17, 11:55 a.m. — AU Campus Rec closing early
- Auburn University's Recreation and Wellness Center will close early at 7 p.m.
- The Rec will reopen tomorrow morning at 8 a.m.
March 17, 11:53 a.m. — Auburn University monitoring severe weather threat
- Auburn University said campus operations have not been affected but that the University is monitoring weather conditions throughout the day.
- If a tornado watch is issued for the area, the University will use Greene Hall on the veterinary medicine campus and Ralph Brown Draughon Library for those without suitable tornado shelters.
March 17, 11:05 a.m. — Lee County School District announces closure on Thursday
- All facilities will be closed on Thursday, March 18 out of expectation of severe weather.
- If no further announcements are made, schools will be open on Friday.
March 17, 7:38 a.m. — Auburn and Lee County in moderate threat risk area
- The National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama, has placed Auburn and Lee County in a moderate threat risk area for severe weather.
- Auburn and Lee County are expected to be impacted by severe weather between 1 p.m.-7 p.m.
- The moderate threat risk area means the NWS believes Auburn and Lee County have the potential to see damaging winds up to 80 mph, tennis ball-size hail and strong long-track tornadoes.
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