Groningen schools and universities to close Friday amid code orange winter storm

Schools and universities across Groningen are closing on Friday due to code orange weather warnings in the northern Netherlands, forcing the cancellation of classes and exams.

The University of Groningen (RUG) announced Thursday that most campus buildings would close at 5 p.m., except for locations hosting ongoing classes. All buildings will remain closed on Friday, with instructors either canceling lessons or conducting them online at their discretion. The university library will remain open for now but may close on Friday if conditions worsen.

Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the largest higher education institution in the north, will have all locations closed starting Thursday, except for the Prins Claus Conservatory. A spokesperson confirmed that all exams scheduled for Thursday and Friday have been canceled.

MBO institution Noorderpoort, which has multiple campuses in Groningen and Drenthe, also announced Thursday afternoon that buildings would remain closed on Friday. The school informed students that lessons would continue online or through replacement assignments wherever possible.