CHILDREN on the Isle of Man will get at least one day off this week because of the severe winter weather conditions. All schools on the Island are closed tomorrow (Monday) and it’s possible the closure may extend to Tuesday.

It all depends on how much worse conditions get in the next 24 hours after some of the lowest November temperatures in recent history were recorded.

The Isle of Man’s weather again showed Manx residents today just how unpredictable it can be. All roads in Douglas were covered in snow and ice first thing this morning, while in Peel there was just a dusting, but a few miles further north Kirk Michael had plenty of snow.

Lots of snow also fell in the south while in the north the heaviest falls were witnessed in Jurby, Andreas and Bride.

All buses were halted (although some operated in Douglas later in the day) and it’s because of this the Department of Education took a decision at 6.30pm this evening to shut all schools tomorrow with safety the main concern.

An update on whether the schools will reopen on Tuesday will be made at lunchtime tomorrow. 

Numerous vehicles were abandoned during the day all over the Island’s roads and a number of roads were closed and later re-opened, but passable only with “extreme care”.

The airport was closed just after 2.30pm and will remain so until tomorrow morning. 

The Department of Infrastructure says gritting teams are currently working in these and other areas around the Island.

The Mountain Road was closed just after 8.30am and remains closed - police have advised people to stay at home and only make journeys if they are absolutely necessary.

Motorists are being urged to take extreme care and drive according to the weather conditions, using dipped headlights.

Photos by Bill Dale  www.isleofmanphotos.com