SNOW forecast for Jersey arrived in greater volumes than expected overnight, prompting Jersey Met to upgrade a yellow warning to orange and police to issue advice about road safety.
A band of sleet and snow had been forecast yesterday, with a projected accumulation of 0.5 centimetres, but there had been 2-3cm as of 7am on Tuesday morning.
“Snow showers will persist until late afternoon, with further small accumulations of 2-3cm possible, especially on untreated surfaces,” Jersey Met stated.
The snow was accompanied by an overnight temperature that fell to just below -1°C. This was the first time the Island had recorded a temperature below freezing since 23 January last year, and significantly lower than the coldest nights of the winter so far: 1.5°C registered yesterday and the same figure on 2 December.
Buses are running but delays are expected, according to Liberty Bus.
The States police urged road users to take care and to consider whether their journeys were necessary.
Leaving extra braking distances was recommended, as well as allowing extra time for journeys.
While some Islanders were asking whether schools may be closed, the government confirmed in a social media post at 7.58am that this would not be the case.
“Unless parents and carers have heard otherwise from their school, children should be taken to school as usual,” the post stated.
“There will be some delays and schools are prepared for this, the main priority is that it is done safely – there is not a whole school closure policy in place for today.”
Temperatures are forecast to drop just below freezing again tonight, but the chance of showers ranges between just 5% and 15% between this evening and Thursday nights. Tomorrow’s maximum temperature is forecast to be 4°C, while Thursday is set to be warmer with a high of 7°C.
