Beginning at 2 p.m. today, the University of Alabama will suspend normal operations, classes and activities for the rest of the day due a possible severe weather threat.

In a campus-wide email sent at 12:20 p.m., University officials said the announcement comes after the National Weather Service predicted a moderate risk for severe weather for portions of Alabama, including the University, from this afternoon through early morning on Saturday, March 3.

“Thunderstorms, hail and flooding are possible, and tornadoes may develop without warning,” the email stated. “A wind advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. today.”

Cathy Andreen, director of media relations, said both the Ferguson Center and Gorgas library will extend their hours of operation for students and employees who wish to seek shelter on campus.

She said the buildings would remain open as long as there’s a need to provide shelter, and that the University anticipates the severe weather will have cleared the area by 2 a.m. Saturday.

Tuscaloosa spokeswoman Heather McCollum said the city’s Emergency Management Agency will also be directing storm shelters to open as needed.

Updated information will be available through The Crimson White here at thecrimsonwhite.com, and on our Twitter page @TheCrimsonWhite. Other sources of information include the University’s website, www.ua.edu, local radio and television stations, via UA Alerts text and e-mail messages and UA Twitter and Facebook. Safety tips are posted at http://prepare.ua.edu/.