Jersey Met has warned of a Channel Islands schools heat closure risk as the second heatwave of the year approaches Jersey, with temperatures that could challenge the island's record. Paul Aked said the forecast could bring extremely high heat, and the public was urged to avoid direct sun and stay hydrated.
Aked, the head of meteorology at Jersey Met, said: “Across the islands, we are looking at potentially record-breaking temperatures.” He added: “The hottest temperature we have recorded here officially in Jersey is 37.9, we could see that temperature record being broken.”
Paul Aked on Jersey heat
He said some nighttime temperatures could stay very warm, making it harder to recover properly. “Equally, we have some nighttime that could be very warm, they aren't going to be low temperatures - so it's tough to recover and get a good night sleep,” he said.
Aked also said the spell was not out of step with the island's weather entirely. “It is not unusual to get a heatwave, but this is a little bit more extreme,” he said. He added that he could not rule out 40C in Jersey.
Acute Services for Health and Care Jersey
Claire Thompson said Acute Services for Health and Care Jersey had already taken steps to keep the hospital as cool as possible during the predicted heatwave. She said air conditioning units had been installed on wards, fans allocated across the hospital estates, and ward temperatures were being taken frequently to keep them within safe limits.
Thompson said the ageing hospital facilities meant some areas had to limit how much electrical equipment could be plugged in without creating a risk of fire or electrical overload. She said the hospital had stocked up on ice cubes and ice pops for patients and staff.
The Waffle House in St Helier
Mieke Dutoit, who moved from South Africa to Jersey in January, said the heat was already difficult to manage at The Waffle House in St Helier. “I think the biggest concern in the ice cream shop is because the ice cream machine can't keep up with the weather,” she said.
Dutoit said she was shocked when she arrived in Jersey and found the weather hotter than South Africa. Her account matched the forecast's practical warning: the island's hottest hours may be bad enough, but the warmer nights could leave little time to cool down before the next day begins.
