As students bundled up in cold-weather gear to throw snowballs amid afternoon flurries, city officials and University administrators met to provide updated storm response procedures before the eye of what meteorologists are dubbing a historic storm hits the Elm City this evening.

“This is not an ordinary snowstorm,” Dean of Yale College Mary Miller wrote in a Friday morning email to students that urged them to stay indoors for the duration of the storm.

Administrators provided several updates to cancellations due to the storm Friday afternoon. Miller said libraries, galleries, museums, Ingalls Rink and the Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center closed at noon. Payne Whitney Gymnasium is slated to close at 4 p.m. Friday until further notice. Yale Health Acute Care will remain open for medical emergencies.

Miller added that special hours for Yale Dining have also been implemented. On Saturday, no continental breakfast will be offered and dinner will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. Durfee’s closes at 5 p.m. Friday and will operate under adjusted hours from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday.

In addition to a blizzard warning and coastal flood advisory, the National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook Friday morning that will remain in effect until 1 p.m. on Saturday, warning of poor visibility conditions, snow accumulation ranging from 18 to 24 inches, winds up to 55 miles per hour and potential power outages due to fallen trees.

Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have all declared a state of emergency in response to the blizzard, and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy has announced a ban on motor vehicles starting 4 p.m. on Friday. David Hartman, director of communications for the New Haven Police Department, warned residents to stay off the roads, as even light street traffic can hinder snow removal.

“In lieu of driving, we recommend making snow angels and drinking hot chocolate,” Hartman said.

The National Weather service also forecasts snow showers throughout Monday.

Read the full text of Miller’s email below:

Because of the weather, many University offices will be closed this afternoon.  Here is a summary of important information. Please check http://emergency.yale.edu for the most up-to-date listing of closings.

• Dining halls will be open according the schedule below;
• Yale Health Acute Care will be open for emergencies;
• Libraries, galleries, and museums are closed as of noon today;
• Ingalls Rink and the Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center will be closed at noon today, and Payne Whitney Gym will close at 4:00;
• Several afternoon classes are scheduled for today.  Please check to be sure that your class is meeting before venturing out;
• Yale Transit will continue running until 3:00pm unless the roads become too hazardous. Please checkhttp://www.yale.transloc.com/ for current information.