AN extreme-hot-weather warning has been issued by the government as Jersey faces an intense heatwave, which will see temperatures soar close to 40°C.
Numerous schools are set to shut on Monday or close early, and Islanders are being urged to check on vulnerable friends, neighbours and relatives amid what are widely expected to be record-breaking temperatures.
Meanwhile, the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service is on high alert for wildfires and has issued a plea to Islanders to help prevent sparking blazes this weekend.
The appeal comes after the UK Met Office issued its first ever red ‘danger to life’ extreme-heat warning for England, with forecasts that temperatures in the south-east could peak in the low 40s on Monday.
The move prompted the UK government to declare a national heatwave emergency.
In Jersey, the mercury is expected to rise to 28°C today (Saturday), 34°C tomorrow and between 35°C and 38°C on Monday – but Jersey Met says it is ‘not impossible’ that the temperature could hit 40°C.
It is expected to remain hot on Tuesday with temperatures in the low-to-mid-30s, but with an increased risk of thundery showers later in the day, before cooling off slightly later in the week.
Jersey is also set to swelter in two consecutive so-called ‘tropical nights’ – where temperatures do not drop below 20°C – with overnight lows of 21°C and 22°C forecast for Sunday and Monday.
Professor Peter Bradley, director of Public Health, said: ‘It is vital that Islanders, especially those at risk, take [the] necessary precautions over the next week.
‘I encourage everyone to look out for those who are vulnerable to extreme heat and less able to look after themselves.’
The government’s Strategic Co-ordination Group and Public Health Department stopped short of forcing schools to close, but many have taken the decision to either not open on Monday or close early.
The new £40m Les Quennevais School, which closed early this week after overheating, is to shut at 1.10pm on Monday and Tuesday.
Grainville, where some pupils suffered heatstroke this week, closed for the summer yesterday after head teacher Sue Morris decided that to open would put the ‘health and safety’ of pupils at risk.
Haute Vallée will also be closed to the majority of pupils on both Monday and Tuesday.
In a letter to parents, the leaders of Trinity and St Martin primary schools said that classroom temperatures had already topped 27°C by 7am yesterday and that despite using a range of mitigating measures the heat had become ‘unbearable’ and therefore the schools would close from 11.30am on Monday.
Several other schools, including St Lawrence, Janvrin and d’Auvergne, will also be either closing, shutting early or giving parents the option of keeping children off school.
All parents have been contacted to explain the individual school’s plans.
Children’s and Education Minister Inna Gardiner said: ‘I place my high trust in head teachers as leaders of their schools who are best placed to make decisions and have the ability to plan to minimise disruption for children and their families and also ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of students and staff in their school.
‘We recognise the impact of making these difficult decisions will have on both students, staff and families, especially at the end of term with celebrations, sports days and leavers’ assemblies planned.
‘However, we must ensure we take proactive health protection measures for the health and safety and wellbeing of students and staff.
‘Officers at the department will continue to provide support and advice during this time, including advice for schools and other education settings during a heatwave.’
The explosion of heat across the British Isles follows a prolonged spell of hot weather in Europe which has seen temperatures in parts of Iberia hit 47°C, fuelling huge wildfires.
Richard Ryan, watch commander at Jersey Fire and Rescue, has urged Islanders to do all they can to help prevent similar countryside blazes across Jersey.
‘The temperatures this weekend are going to significantly raise the risk of wildfires. There’s no doubt about that,’ he said.
‘Although the countryside may look green, it is dry underneath and it will not take much to start a fire and for that fire to get out of control.’
He has urged people not to have a barbecue near overhanging vegetation, and to have a bucket of water nearby if they cook food outdoors.
Cigarettes should be disposed of safely and rubbish should be taken home, as the sun reflecting off glass can start a fire, he said.
Rob Plummer, duty forecaster at Jersey Met, said the temperatures over the coming days would take Jersey into ‘new territory’.
The Island’s current temperature record stands at 36°C, which was set in August 2003 and equalled in July 2019.
‘We are forecasting 37°C for Monday, and we wanted to have confidence to commit to that, as it would be a record for Jersey,’ said Mr Plummer.
‘But the issue for us is that this is new territory. Usually, when making forecasts you have experience to fall back on, but temperatures like this are an unknown territory.
‘It could be a degree or so either side of that figure.’
Asked whether the temperature could hit 40°C, Mr Plummer said: ‘They will certainly be seeing temperatures of 40°C in nearby France and that hot air will be blowing across the water to us.
‘For us it is a matter of balancing the influence France will have on our temperatures and the influence the sea will have in cooling them.
‘We are not expecting our temperatures to reach 40°C, but it is not impossible.’
Condor is urging passengers to ensure that their pets are prepared for the hot weather at the ports.
Meanwhile, the annual pilgrimage to Elizabeth Castle on Sunday has been cancelled because of the hot weather.
