University officials will open residence halls a day earlier than planned, after threats that Hurricane Irene might hit the D.C. area over the weekend.

Move-in day was originally slated for Aug. 27 but because of the severe weather forecast, the University said all halls will open instead on Friday at 10 a.m.

“By opening a day early, we hope to avoid the most extreme weather conditions from Hurricane Irene. This is optional and in addition to regularly scheduled Move-In on Saturday,” the release said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is also monitoring the storm. Irene is “very likely to intensify into a major hurricane,” according to The Washington Post.