Island braces itself for blizzard conditions

An amber weather warning for snow and sleet is in place across the Isle of Man today.

It'll be in place between 11am and 6pm with forecasters warning of snow accumulations of up to 10cm on higher ground and up to 5cm in most areas.

Officials add this, combined with strong to gale force winds, could create blizzard-like conditions and snow drifting during the afternoon.

Meanwhile, a separate yellow notice for coastal overtopping - most likely to affect promenades in Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey - is active until 3pm.

Elsewhere, the constabulary is warning it's illegal to drive on closed roads and doing so puts the public and emergency services at risk.

Key Island roads are being gritted to keep them open but officers say to only travel today if absolutely necessary and drive to the conditions.

Disruption to some routes is expected, such as the Ballamodha straight and Richmond Hill.