THIS year’s Battle of Flowers is expected to be the hottest ever, with temperatures forecast to reach 30°C tomorrow afternoon.
Organisers of the event, which is being staged for the first time since 2019 following the disruption caused by Covid-19, have issued advice to participants and spectators about how to counter the effects of the heat.
Latest projections from Jersey Met show the mercury rising across the remainder of the week, peaking at 33°C on Saturday, by which point thundery showers could reach the Island.
Forecaster Sharon Merren said it was highly likely that the previous record for the hottest temperature for Battle of Flowers – 28.1°C in both 1909 and 1995 – will be broken. She said: ‘We are expecting 30°C, with a light to moderate breeze from the north-east.’
Statistics produced by Jersey Met show that the old adage of ‘it never rains on the Battle’ to be not strictly true, with rain measured on 27 of 93 Battle days staged since 1902 – this includes eight occasions when a reading of more than five millimetres was recorded across the 24-hour period.
Ms Merren confirmed that there was no prospect of any rainfall until late on Saturday at the earliest, meaning the current dry conditions will continue for both the daytime event tomorrow and the moonlight parade on Friday evening.
She said: ‘We are expecting a change in the weather late on Saturday and into Sunday – the timing of this has moved back as it is still quite a long way off in forecasting terms.’
A spokesperson for the Battle of Flowers said: ‘We are advising spectators and participants to take the necessary precautions and ensure they are properly hydrated and have protective headwear and sunscreen; insect repellent is also recommended.
‘Free water stations will be available in the arena, courtesy of Jersey Water, for anyone who wishes to fill up their own water bottles.’
Those attending the event have also been asked to take precautions relating to Covid-19 by taking a lateral-flow test before setting out, and not attending should they feel unwell. Hand sanitiser will be available around the arena.
