JULY is likely to be the driest in 128 years following a month of extreme weather.
Latest figures from Jersey Met yesterday showed that just 0.7 millimetres of rain had fallen since 1 July, with the drizzle forecast for tomorrow morning unlikely to add significantly to the total.
The current record for the driest July is 7.4mm in 1949, while the 30-year average figure for the month is 45.3mm.
Jersey Water has advised that the prolonged dry spell has not reduced water supplies to worrying levels, with reservoirs currently 74% full, but reminded Islanders to treat water as a precious resource.
A Jersey Water spokesperson said: ‘It’s important not to be complacent, and we’ll be running some general messages via social media about the importance of not wasting water.
‘There’s no need to be concerned at the moment, but we do need to be mindful that if the dry weather continues it may be necessary to look at restrictions.’
Forecaster Jim Galvin said there was little prospect of significant rainfall across the remainder of July and into next week.
He said: ‘We’re set for some drizzle on Sunday morning, but don’t believe there’ll be any great accumulation.
‘As far as we can see, up to next Thursday at least, there’s still a ridge of high pressure and unlikely to be a great deal of rain.’
Temperatures of 23°C to 25°C are forecast across the weekend and during the early part of next week.
News that the July record for rainfall is set to be broken comes after the fierce heat experienced earlier this month, with the Island recording its hottest-ever temperature. The mercury climbed to 37.9°C on 18 July, beating the previous mark of 36.0°C.
With record temperatures having also been experienced in England, Wales and Scotland during the past fortnight, politicians and campaigners have acknowledged the pressing need to take action on climate change. Newly elected Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf said the extreme figures were ‘a wake-up call’ and that one of his priorities would be to bring forward proposals later in the year for funding the Island’s response to the climate emergency.
