Major disruption from snow looks likely on Thursday

The Met Office has said islanders could wake up to anywhere between 5 to 10cm snow tomorrow, however a more significant snow event is predicted for later in the week.

‘There is set to be a persistent spell on Thursday coming in by daybreak, or slightly before,’ Guernsey Met’s duty observer said yesterday afternoon.

‘The hope is that it will start turning to rain by the [Thursday] evening and from then onwards temperatures should be up to 8/9 degrees.’

Before that upturn in the weather, temperatures could fall to -4C in the early hours of Thursday morning, according to Guernsey Weather Fox.

This is caused by a sudden stratospheric warming, which has slowed down the jet stream and is driving ‘bitterly cold easterly winds’ in the island’s direction.

Civil Protection officer Dave Hodge said his team had been put on alert and will remain so until told otherwise.

‘We have been formally put on standby by Guernsey Police to respond to the developing situation,’ he said.

‘That can be anything from supporting HSC with things like community nursing and community care, to supporting the other blue light services if they require our resources.

‘I would encourage people to follow the advice by the States and emergency services who have the most information on the developing situation.’

Announcements on whether schools will be opening will be made by 7.15am tomorrow and advertised through the media.

The Medical Specialist Group is hoping to be able to provide its clinics and other services tomorrow as normal.

‘Our staff will make every effort to get to work and be available for patients, but safety has to be paramount and we will fully understand if any patients feel that it is too dangerous to attempt the journey,’ said chief executive, Debbie Guillou.

‘All we would ask is that patients give us as much notice as possible if they are not going to be able to attend their appointment, by giving us a call on 238565.’

Guernsey Police has advised people to remain vigilant, while St John has urged people to make a quick call or visit elderly or vulnerable neighbours to check on their well-being.

Supermarkets were running low on some fresh goods because the Goodwill was unable to dock this morning.

GSPCA manager Steve Byrne has asked pet owners to consider the effects the sub-zero conditions could have on their animals.

‘We want to ensure pets and other animals kept and live outside are safe and have all they need,’ he said. ‘Extreme cold weather can kill if your pets and animals haven’t got all they need when left outdoors.

‘Whether you have a rabbit living outside or wild birds visiting the garden we would ask to ensure your pets are protected and have all they need and where possible please help our wildlife by putting fresh food and water out for them if it does reach freezing temperatures.’

These temperatures could cause outside taps to freeze, and Guernsey Water has said this can be prevented by lagging them by wrapping a towel or rag around them.

Aurigny today offered worried travellers a chance to change their flights for free.

Several events have been either cancelled or postponed because of the weather, such as the Guernsey Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre’s annual health and wellbeing show, while Castle Cornet has closed its doors until the weekend, citing the incoming blizzards.

The greatest depth of level snow recorded by Guernsey Met was 30cm in February 1948.

The blizzard in March 2013 saw 16cm of snow in the island and deep drifts up to 220cm.

The lowest February temperature was -7.2°C in 1991 and the lowest March temperature was -2.2°C in 1958, a record that could feasibly be broken on Thursday.