TEMPERATURES have returned to average levels after a mini heatwave that brought a record-breaking high to the Island earlier this week.
Jersey Met recorded a maximum temperature of 26.0°C on Tuesday afternoon, just 0.2°C below the all-time record for April, set in 1984.
And senior forecaster Matt Winter said the reading for 7 April was a new record for the first week of this month, comfortably beating the previous mark of 22.8°C set on 3 April 1946.
“Previously we hadn’t ever reached 24°C until 10 April, so it’s been interesting to see such a high figure so early in the year,” he said. “April is a transitional month, so you can get some really warm conditions, as well as the more wintry weather that Storm Dave brought to the north of the UK.”
Islanders and Easter visitors also saw a warm start to the day yesterday, with the temperature going beyond 23°C by 11am before a slightly cooler afternoon.
Mr Winter said Jersey would see much cooler conditions today, although a forecast maximum of 16°C would still be around two degrees warmer than average for the time of year.
He added: “Friday should be quite a decent day, with high pressure, winds from the south-east and some pleasant sunshine.”
But the start of the weekend is set to bring further change, with the forecast for Saturday showing a high of 14°C and a 55% chance of rain.
Spring heat
April has been described as a “transitional” month by Jersey Met, occasionally bringing very warm conditions.
- The highest-ever figure for the month, since records began in 1894, was 26.2°C on 22 April 1984.
- April highs of 26.0°C have been recorded twice: on 16 April 2003 and 7 April 2026.
- For the first week of April, the previous highest temperature was 22.8°C on 3 April 1946.
- Hot weather has also been experienced in late March, with a temperature of 22.9°C recorded on 30 March 2021.
