A winter storm that began Tuesday night and continued well into Thursday transformed Illinois State’s campus into something resembling the setting of the Hoth sequence in Star Wars or the animated film Frozen, depending on your movie metaphor of choice. The National Weather Service reported that the blizzard dumped about a foot of snow on Bloomington-Normal, leading the University to close February 2 and 3.

Campus and Town of Normal grounds crews worked to clear parking lots. pathways, and roadways during and following the storm, and Illinois State reopened Friday, February 4. Many students took advantage of the unexpected “break” to turn the Quad into a winter playground. Here are some photos and social media posts from the epic snowfall.

Bone Hand of Friendship on the Quad covered in snow.
The snow-covered “Hand of Friendship” on the Quad with Cook Hall in the background.
Redbird Plaza covered in snow.
Redbird Plaza
Man shoveling snow
Illinois State groundskeepers worked hard to clear out snow around campus.
The clock on The Illinois State Quad.
Snow on the Quad with Old Union to the right.
Moulton Hall and the Fell Gates surrounded in snow.
Moulton Hall and the Fell Gates surrounded in snow.
Old Main Bell covered in snow.
Old Main Bell
A photo of Edwards Hall surrounded in snow
Edwards Hall