MADISON, Wis. -- The Madison Metropolitan School District, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Madison Area Technical College have all canceled classes for Wednesday due to the winter storm.

All Madison School District schools will be closed Wednesday. This also means that all school buildings will be closed for the entire day and evening Wednesday for MSCR, athletics and other activities.

UW-Madison has canceled classes for Wednesday and asked all nonessential university employees to stay home.

Chancellor Biddy Martin said the school hopes to resume classes Thursday.

Forecasts predicted snow throughout the night Tuesday, with gusting winds. Up to 16 inches was expected by Wednesday night.

Critical campus services, such as public safety, snow removal, patient care and university housing will remain open.

The school notified students and staff of canceled classes in several ways -- among them, Martin has been communicating with students through Twitter.

All Madison Area Technical College campuses will be closed on Wednesday. Erin Thornley, public affairs and government relations manager for MATC, said all classes and activities are canceled Wednesday for all MATC campuses including Madison, Reedsburg, Portage, Watertown and Fort Atkinson.