UNC is canceling classes and suspending some university operations ahead of the expected impact from Hurricane Florence.

The hurricane has been tracking toward the East Coast and moved from a Category 2 to Category 4 storm on Monday.

UNC will move to Condition 1 (Reduced Operations) of the university’s adverse weather plan beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The university will then move to Condition 2 (Suspended Operations) at 5 p.m. Wednesday and remain in that state until 5 p.m. Sunday.

Classes will be canceled beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday “to allow students to travel home if they are able,” the university said in an Alert Carolina message Monday night.

“All students are strongly encouraged to leave the Chapel Hill area before the storm hits,” the message read.

Residence halls will remain open for those students who live on campus and are unable to leave.

Some university services will continue for those who remain on campus.

UNC is scheduled to host its first home football game of the season on Saturday but athletics officials said they are closely monitoring the storm before making a final decision.

The UNC System Board of Governors was scheduled to meet on Friday but has moved that meeting to Wednesday.