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Airlines, shops, exercise classes, children's nurseries and toddler play groups are among those giving advance warnings of expected disruption due to the forecast wintry weather on Thursday 1 March.
Even before it was announced that all States run schools and College of Further Education sites in Guernsey, Alderney and Herm will be closed for a third day running, a number of businesses and organisations had already started cancelling events or announcing closures.
With a red snow warning issued on Wednesday 28 February by the Met Office, the Chief Officer of the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said the decision was made then to "ensure a consistent approach regarding closures".
Gus Paterson said "Given the forecast, I think it’s highly unlikely that conditions tomorrow [Thursday] will be safe for pupils or staff. I wanted to give the community certainty as soon as possible and hope the early announcement helps parents and businesses with their preparations. We will review the position again tomorrow with regards a decision on whether schools can open on Friday. We will seek to make a further announcement tomorrow."
Blanchelande and Elizabeth colleges have also announced they will be closed on 1 March.
Elsewhere both Guernsey and Alderney airports are expecting continued effects from the snow. Alderney Airport remained closed throughout Wednesday with the island under a heavy cover of the white stuff.
Guernsey Airport has been operating at almost normal levels throughout Wednesday 28 February, having been open since 10:00. However, the airlines are already warning of disruption the following day.
Guernsey Airport itself says the terminal will remain closed until 11:30 on Thursday 1 March, while staff work airside to try and enable flights to resume as soon as possible. The Airport manager, Colin Le Ray said Aurigny and Blue Islands' flights are already cancelled until lunchtime:
"This will enable Guernsey Airport to concentrate on snow clearing activity with work set to start in the early hours of tomorrow morning as the snow arrives. The forecast accumulations together with the risk of freezing rain make any reasonable predictions on re-opening very difficult; however regular updates as to progress will be released tomorrow."
Guernsey Airport will not be open until 1300hrs tomorrow 1 March due forecast weather. Flights are being cancelled. Terminal opens 1130hrs.
— Guernsey Airport ✈ (@GuernseyAirport) February 28, 2018
Both Blue Islands and Aurigny are offering passengers booked to fly on Thursday 1 March the chance to rebook if they are able to.
Blue Islands CEO Rob Veron said the airline will: "review the status of its afternoon scheduled services during the course of the day, and will operate flights when it is safe to do so. Safety of our passengers and crew is our number one priority at all times. Given the exceptional circumstances, we are currently offering free re-booking for customers scheduled to fly today or tomorrow [28th February and 1st March] via flybe.com/flight-info.”
Aurigny said it has already cancelled all Alderney services tomorrow and is moving passengers booked on other flights to alternative services:
"Regrettably, looking at the latest forecast, it is highly unlikely that these flights would be able to operate and therefore we have taken the decision to cancel the following flights and move passengers:
Any passengers booked on any of the affected services are able to move onto any alternative flights, up to and including Sunday (subject to availability) free of charge. Passengers can also cancel and claim a refund by calling the Aurigny Reservations Team on 01481 267267. Phone lines are expected to be very busy.
Aurigny also said passengers can move their flights online ( to alternative services up to and including Sunday) with refunds for fees or extra charges.
The States of Guernsey owned airline apologised for the disruption, adding: "Wiith the forecast looking as it is, we wanted to make a decision early and help prevent people making the difficult and potentially treacherous journey to the airport."
With the roads expected to be icy if not covered in a snow a number of businesses have already made the decision to tell their employees to stay at home tomorrow.
Creaseys were among the first to take this step, announcing that all Creaseys and Marks & Spencers outlets will be closed on Thursday 1 March, with opening hours for Friday 2 March to be confirmed in due course.
Other businesses which have warned their customers they may not be able to open on Thursday 1 March include a number of childcare providers, which will have a knock on effect on other employers. Many have said parents should be looking at making alternative arrangements if they must head into work themselves as nurseries and preschools cannot open if they don't have the required number of staff to meet their regulations:
Other service providers including charities and toddler play groups have also had to cancel, citing health and safety, saying staff, volunteers and service users may not be able to access premises safely:
Various sports clubs have cancelled events. Beau Sejour is closing at 20:00 on Wednesday 28 February and said it won't be opening until 12:00 on Thursday 1 March. With a number of sports clubs using the public facilities at the leisure centre they have also had to amend their schedules:
All 3 of tonight’s matches are cancelled. @BeauSejourGSY closing early! #WiseDecision #BallAboveAll
— Guernsey Basketball (@gsybasketball) February 28, 2018
Pictured: St Saviours during the morning of Wednesday 28 February, image from Dave Beausire
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