San Juan Island public schools will start 90 minutes late Thursday, the fourth consecutive day of late starts because of the weather.

Again, buses will use snow routes.

Terresa Sundstrom, the school district’s transportation supervisor, issued an e-mail notice Wednesday, as snow and ice became slush on island roads but forecasts called for more snow late Wednesday.

Overall, the island dodged a bullet when the arctic storm arrived Friday — high winds that were expected to pummel the islands, with gusts of up to 65 mph — didn’t extend to the San Juans. But an arctic chill touched down here, icing roads and bringing the coldest temperatures since 1990 to the islands.

As a result of the storm, several public meetings and community events were canceled or postponed, among them a public meeting Wednesday to discuss possible restructuring of public schools to erase an anticipated $717,000 budget deficit for 2009-10.

The National Weather Service said snow showers were likely Wednesday night, with additional snow accumulation of 1 or 2 inches, lows in the 20s and a west wind of 15 to 25 mph.

Thursday, it’s expected to be windy and cloudy with a chance of snow showers. Highs will be in the mid 20s to lower 30s. A northeast wind of 25 to 35 mph is expected, with gusts to around 50 mph. Thursday night, the temperature could drop to 11, and a northeast wind of 30 to 40 mph could bring gusts of up to 60 mph.

Snow is likely Saturday night and Sunday. It won’t start to warm up until next Wednesday, when the temperature reaches a high in the upper 30s.

For latest updated weather forecasts, CLICK HERE.