According to figures from Jersey Met, the Island saw a total of 2,314.2 hours of sunshine in 2018 – well above the 30-year average of 1,986.1.
And in a year in which Jersey and the rest of the British Isles saw one of the hottest summers on record, the average temperature was 12.73°C.
This was slightly above the 30-year average of 12.09°C, but fell short of the all-time highest
yearly average of 13.34°C set in 2014.
Rainfall levels across the year were below average, with 804.1 mm being recorded, compared to a 30-year average of 874.7 mm. The final eight months of the year each recorded below-average rainfall, leading Jersey Water to turn on the desalination plant for several weeks last month.
John Searson, principal meteorologist at Jersey Met, said: ‘There was a cold period in February and March when the temperatures were significantly below average, but after that we saw months when the temperature was above average.
‘One of the things that made it such a remarkable summer period was that the winds were so light. It was unusual to have such light winds for so long, and this made it feel so much more pleasant because
you weren’t losing the warmth through the wind.
‘In terms of climate change, it is not surprising that this year was so warm and that it made the top ten.’
The sea temperature, meanwhile, was slightly above average at 12.96°C, compared to a 30-year average of 12.73°C.
2018 STATS
- The warmest day was 8 July (29.6°C).
- The coldest night was on 28 February (minus 3.8°C).
- There were 34 ground frosts (compared to a 30-year average of 52.5) and seven air frosts (compared to an average of 9.4).
- It rained on 186 days, compared to a 30-year average of 179.5.
