VISUALS: Students take advantage as ‘Snowmaggedon’ shuts down campus.

Natasha Gomez, Jacob Sebastian, Jonah Savage, Gabriel Milby, Kylee Holt, and Sam Huffman

January 26, 2026

A Western Kentucky University student sleds down a hill outside Van Meter Hall on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Sam Huffman)

Freezing rain created large patches of ice throughout Bowling Green, Ky. on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 making outdoor stair cases and inclined surfaces a safety risk if used. (Sam Huffman)

(From left) Freshman Social Media Marketing Major Joshua Riffle and Gatton Academy Student Landon Patton form a human pyramid after a snowball fight on South Lawn on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Jonah Savage)

A winter service vehicle drives down Chestnut St. salting the road on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. After initial snowfall on Saturday, freezing rain and sleet froze the road and power lines across South Central Kentucky causing power outages throughout the area. Businesses, schools and churches have also issued closings and delays. (Sam Huffman

Western Kentucky University student Christyal Johnson goes sledding down the hill near Van Meter Hall on Sunday, February. 25, 2026. (Gabriel Milby)

A can of Busch Light is buried as the snow falls on College Street on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Jonah Savage)

Western Kentucky University maintenance workers stop for a chat while plowing snow on campus after intense winter weather on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Kylee Holt)

Western Kentucky University announced on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 that all campuses will be closed and classes will be canceled on Monday, Jan. 26 and Tuesday, Jan. 27. Bowling Green received freezing rain and sleet as a result of this weekend’s winter storm, causing businesses, schools, and churches to close or issue delays for the icy weather. (Sam Huffman)

Snow falls as students sled outside of Van Meter Hall on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Jonah Savage)

Jonny goes sledding down the hill Van Meter Hall dressed as Elmo on Saturday, February. 24, 2026. (Gabriel Milby)

A person walks down snow covered Chestnut Street on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Bowling Green, Ky. experienced snowfall on Saturday followed by freezing rain, which continued into the following day. (Sam Huffman)

Freshman Pi Kappa Alpha member Jack Kirby arrives at Van Meter Hall to sled while dawning a sock monkey hat on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Jonah Savage)

From left: Western Kentucky University senior electrical engineering major Adam Grunch and Bowling Green local PJ Brink prepare to launch down Reservoir Hill atop makeshift sleds on Jan. 24, 2026. Reservoir Hill, also known by the nickname “Hospital Hill”, serves as a popular spot for sledding enjoyers in the city. (Jacob Sebastian)

Sophomore construction management major and Glasgow, Ky. native Wesley Travis throws more pallet wood into a fire barrel in the front yard of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity house in Bowling Green, Ky. on Jan. 24, 2026. Travis kept the fire stocked while members of his fraternity and people from the street came to warm themselves. (Jacob Sebastian)

Two sleds sit together, one broken, atop Reservoir Hill in Bowling Green, Ky. on Jan. 24, 2026. Reservoir Hill has long held the nickname of “Hospital Hill” by locals and has been known for sledding-related injuries. The hill remains one of the most popular sledding areas in Bowling Green despite this. (Jacob Sebastian)

A frozen American Flag remained still in a tree on E 11th Ave. on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 in Bowling Green, Ky. Freezing rain and sleet resulted in businesses, schools, and churches closing across the state. (Sam Huffman)

Aiden Sanderlin, 8, sleds down Reservoir Hill during the first snowfall of the year on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Natasha Gomez)

A squirrel enjoys the winter snow on Western Kentucky University’s campus on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Kylee Holt)

Western Kentucky University student Soham Patel sleds down a hill outside Van Meter Hall on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Sam Huffman)

Western Kentucky University announced Sunday that campus would be closed and classes canceled Monday Jan. 26 and Tuesday Jan. 27 after intense snow and ice fall on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Kylee Holt)

About the Contributors

Natasha Gomez, Staff Photographer

Natasha Gomez is a sophomore majoring in Journalism. She is a staff photographer for the Herald and news reporter for Herald Español.

Jacob Sebastian, Staff Photographer

Jacob Sebastian is a photographer for the Herald. Sebastian is a sophomore double majoring in Photojournalism and Environmental, Sustainability, and Geographic Studies. Originally from Cub Run, Kentucky, this is his first year on Herald staff.

Jonah Savage, Multimedia Visuals Editor

Jonah Savage is a photographer and journalist from Woodford County, Kentucky. He is currently a sophomore in the Visual Journalism & Photography program, as well as Journalism. Savage started at the Herald as a News Reporter, moved to Staff Photographer and is now the Multimedia Visuals Editor.

Gabriel Milby, Staff Photographer

Gabriel Milby is a staff photographer for the Herald.

Sam Huffman, Staff Photographer

WKUHerald.com

VISUALS: Students take advantage as ‘Snowmaggedon’ shuts down campus.

WKUHerald.com