Boston University administrators have canceled classes for Tuesday, Feb. 18, after a huge winter storm blanketed Boston with heavy snow throughout the day Monday.

The “Blizzard of 2003,” which ravaged East Coast cities from Washington, D.C. to New York over the weekend, made its way into Boston Monday and dropped close to a foot of snow on the city as of Monday night. Forecasters said the storm should continue into Tuesday afternoon, leaving anywhere between 12-24 inches of snow.

BU spokesman Colin Riley said safety was a factor in the decision to cancel classes and also said BU looked at information from city and state officals before making the decision to cancel.

“City and state officials have declared a state of emergency,” Riley said.

Only essential BU employees, including those in the Office of Buildings and Grounds, BU Police Department, mail services, switchboard and Student Health Services will be required to report to work Tuesday.

Tomorrow’s edition of The Daily Free Press will be delivered only to residence halls and dormitories.

The university will follow a normal Wednesday schedule when classes resume on Wednesday, Feb. 19.