Dust off the barbecue – summer’s about to begin

  • Temperatures likely to be in the high 20s by the end of this week
  • ‘Very warm’ conditions could continue all month, but risk of thunderstorms spreading up from Europe.
  • See pictures and video of Jersey basking in the April sunshine earlier this year
  • Planning a barbecue? Follow our safety advice below

SUMMER is expected to arrive in style this week – with temperatures soaring into the high 20s.

The weather during the past few weeks may have been the very definition of average with cloudy and, at times, wet and windy periods interspersed with sunny but not particularly warm days.

You can keep up to date with the latest weather forecast here

But all that is to change during the next few days, when warm air is expected to push up from the continent.

The mercury is likely to hit about 19°C tomorrow before rising to the mid to high 20s by the end of the week.

Adrienne Le Maistre, duty forecaster at the Jersey Met Office, said: ‘There is still some uncertainty over the exact details, but we are expecting a big change in the weather from tomorrow.

‘High pressure is going to build in and that will move into Europe and, depending on where it ends up, will introduce east or south-easterly winds.

‘It looks like the warm and settled weather will last into the weekend, and we are looking at temperatures between 24°C and 27°C from Thursday onwards.’

The change in the weather, which has come just in time for the start of the three-month period defined as summer by meteorologists, is being brought about by a shift in the position of the jet stream – a high-level band of winds which drives areas of low pressure across the Atlantic.

For much of the past few weeks the jet has been running close to, or straight over, the British Isles, causing often unsettled and sometimes cool conditions.

But it is due to move north, allowing high pressure to build in.

The UK Met Office, which produces longer-range forecasts, is predicting that high pressure could remain for much – or all – of this month.

It says that the south of Britain could enjoy ‘very warm’ conditions until at least 29 June, but warned that there is an increased risk of thunderstorms spreading up from Europe.

Meanwhile, the Jersey Met Office yesterday tweeted that on 1 June 1962 they recorded the lowest night-time temperature for June of 5°C.

See pictures of Jersey basking in the April sunshine here

Barbecues can get out of control if you’re not careful. But, by following a few simple fire safety rules, you can enjoy a safe barbecue and prevent accidental fires:

Disposable barbecues:

  • Follow the safety instructions provided with disposable barbecues.
  • Never use a barbecue indoors or on balconies.
  • Make sure your barbecue is placed on level ground where it will not tip over.
  • Keep barbecues away from your home, sheds, fences, garden furniture, trees, shrubs and tents.
  • Enjoy yourself, but don’t drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the barbecue.
  • Don’t put the barbecue where people have to squeeze past it.
  • Only use approved barbecue fuel or firelighters. Never use petrol or paraffin.
  • Keep children, pets and garden games well away from the cooking area.
  • Never leave the barbecue unattended.
  • Watch out when you are cooking fatty foods. Lots of fat spilling onto the coals will cause flames to flare up.
  • When you have finished cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before you try to move it.
  • If you BBQ on the beach beware of the sand getting hot and walking on the hot spot.
  • Empty the cold ash onto bare garden soil – never put it in the dustbin. ¿
  • Where possible, keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies.

Gas barbecues:

  • Take extra care when turning bottled gas barbecues on and off.
  • Make sure the controls and the gas cylinder valve are turned off before you change the cylinder.
  • Make sure all joints are tightened, safe and secure.
  • Change the gas cylinder in the open air.
  • When you have finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before the barbecue controls. This makes sure any leftover gas in the pipe is used up.
  • Store your gas cylinders outside and protected from frost and sunlight.
  • Never store gas cylinders under the stairs – if there is a fire they might explode and block your escape route.
  • Test for leaks in the gas cylinder connections and pipes; brush soapy water over all of the joints and watch for bubbles. If you have a leaky joint, try to tighten it (but don’t over tighten it) and test for again. If unsure do not use the barbecue – seek specialist advice.
  • Be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide – barbecues in enclosed spaces are lethal. Never take a barbecue into a tent or caravan, for example.
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