Flake News! Schools closed

Wednesday 28 February 2018

Island schools will not open on Thursday, it has been confirmed, with the ‘Beast of the East’ due to batter the island with “blizzard” snow and gale force winds.

States Education officials made the decision following an Emergency Planning meeting on Wednesday morning with the Jersey Met Office and Emergency Services.

It is believed that they took the precautionary step upon advice that forecasts were unlikely to improve, leading officials to conclude that advance notice of closure would allow more teachers to take work home and give parents the time to make childcare arrangements so that they can attend work.

LibertyBus have advised that school buses will not be running. The mobile library will also be out of service.

Pictured: School buses will not be running tomorrow, LibertyBus have confirmed.

The early decision was made to allow parents to make arrangements before the snowstorm hits.

Jersey Met issued a red level warning this morning, advising islanders to expect “strong gale force winds… likely to lead to blizzard conditions at times.”

The snow is first expected to hit shortly after midnight, and will become gradually heavier towards the morning. It could be up to 8cm when it settles.

Snow Warning for Jersey issued at 11:20am Wednesday 28th February 2018 pic.twitter.com/LhCmB9eR5O

— CI Weather Warnings (@Jersey_MetCI) February 28, 2018

It is expected to turn to rain as temperatures rise in the afternoon, but the Met Office warn of “freezing rain for a time.”

Tomorrow will be the heaviest snowfall to hit the island in five years. The last time it forced school closures was back in 2013 when it covered the island.

The Police have since issued numerous safety warnings, and have reminded islanders to keep a special watch out for vulnerable people, such as the elderly.

Chief Inspector Chris Beechey commented: “We are expecting a similar amount of snow to that which we saw five years ago and as most people will remember caused quite significant disruption to normal island life.

“Because of the combination of snow and later in the day freezing rain we are asking people not to venture out unless necessary. The conditions on the road are predicted to be very dangerous and it is not worth the risk.

“We would also ask people to think about any elderly or vulnerable neighbours and perhaps pop in to check on their welfare.”