Late Sunday night, Boston and the Northeast were pummeled by a blizzard considered to be one of the strongest in a decade, leaving more than three feet of snow in some parts of Massachusetts. In some areas, it dethroned the infamous blizzard of ’78 as the snowiest by 4 inches on Monday afternoon. 

The historic storm halted daily operations around the state and prompted closures of public and private schools, including Emerson College, only a mere month after a different nor’easter shut down much of the country in January. 

Boston Public Schools closed through Tuesday due to the snow emergency. Emerson’s Boston campus closed on Monday and held all classes virtually on Tuesday, eventually resuming in-person operations on Wednesday. 

The Iwasaki library, Fitness Center, and college bookstore remained closed for both days. The Dining Center and The Max abided by their usual hours, but other dining options were closed. 

“Faculty are instructed to be flexible with students unable to attend a remote class in terms of making up the work,” an email from the school sent Monday read. 

For some students, the January nor’easter was historic enough, but it paled in comparison to this week’s blizzard, now dubbed the Blizzard of 2026. The January storm produced just over 23 inches of snow in Boston and ranked among the top 10 for highest storm totals, with winds of approximately 50 mph. 

This storm brought stronger wind gusts and set a record amount of snowfall. The storm rapidly increased to the level of a “bomb cyclone,” which occurs “when cold air meets warm ocean waters, often bringing powerful winds, heavy snow or rain,” according to the Weather Channel. It also reached blizzard criteria, with wind gusts reaching over 80 mph in Massachusetts, paired with reduced visibility of one-quarter mile or less. 

As the wind howled through Boylston Street, students hunkered down in their dorms.  Last month, students rejoiced with the news of a snow day. Now, the continuous disruption to classes due to extreme weather conditions and federal holidays is starting to affect class progress. 

Veronica Babiuk, a freshman stage and production management major, spent her snow day doing laundry, hanging out with friends, and catching up on homework. A day she would usually be spending in her three classes, one of which only meets on Mondays. 

“I don’t think it affects a lot of other students like it does for us,” she said. “I don’t mind [snow days] at the moment, but then in class, we’re kind of behind.” 

Students have missed a total of four out of seven days’ worth of Monday classes due to the two winter storms and federal holidays. The college has planned to make up one day’s worth of Monday classes. Following the January storm, the college instructed faculty to use an official class make-up day on April 16. 

“Professors can opt to hold class at another time, or give students an additional educational activity, experience, or assignment that is equivalent to the time commitment of that class,” a college spokesperson said in a statement to The Beacon. 

The college confirmed that the academic year will not be extended for makeup days. 

Junior writing, literature and publishing major Liv Mazzola also worries about the lack of classes, although she said that she enjoyed quality time with her roommates. 

“It just concerned me a little bit because I was nervous about feeling behind for midterm prep and everything since we’ve had two Mondays off before midterm,” she said. “I’m worried about having another makeup day because I work the days that I’m not in class.” 

Alternatives often come in the form of a remote class. Andriani Maria Lamprinou, a sophomore journalism major, said that she has difficulty focusing during Zoom classes and that she wishes the college kept the Walker Building open for students to do their work. 

“Online classes can be necessary in order to not lose time or stay behind on material,” she said.   “But it’s a little bit more difficult for some students to pay attention when they are in front of their computers compared to when they’re in the physical class.” 

 Mazzola, like many others on campus, has had enough extreme weather conditions.

“I’m usually such a winter girl, and I love the snow usually, but it’s just been so much this year that I’m honestly at the point where I’m a little bit over it,” she said.