A POTENTIALLY record-breaking heatwave will hit the Island next week – with schools considering special measures as temperatures climb towards 36°C.
While Island Walk participants taking to Jersey’s coastal paths yesterday (photo spread in tomorrow’s JEP) saw more manageable temperatures in the 20s, the figure rose to 30°C today and could potentially reach upwards of 34°C on Monday and 36°C on Wednesday.
Plan ahead
Head to the JEP’s weather page for all the latest weather information.
The estimates prompted an urgent meeting on Friday between Education, Public Health and Met Office officials.
Jersey Met forecaster Martin Nduta told the JEP on Friday that, should temperatures hit expected levels, they will break the current June record of 33.4°C.
That figure was recorded on 30 June last year, surpassing the previous record of 33.2°C seen on 17 June 2022.
“We are expecting an influx of heat from the south,” Mr Nduta said, going on to note that Sunday and Monday nights are forecast to be “tropical” with the temperature not anticipated to fall below 20°C.
Forecasts released at 3pm today showed that Wednesday could now reach 36°C.
In a statement on Friday, the Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department said: “Decisions on whether schools remain open or make any changes in response to the hot weather are taken by individual headteachers, who are best placed to assess their local circumstances.
“We have issued guidance to support schools during these conditions, and schools will communicate directly with parents and carers about any changes.”
In an email to parents seen by the JEP, De La Salle College head of college Jason Turner outlined a number of measures being implemented by the school in line with official guidance, “to ensure the boys remain safe and comfortable during the heatwave”.
Among other changes this included the suspension of “vigorous activities” such as football as well as the shortening or adaptation of outdoor PE lessons, which would also be moved indoors to air-conditioned halls “where necessary”.
“Boys may remain indoors in the air conditioning during the hottest parts of the day over lunch time,” the email added.
Another email to parents seen by the JEP, from La Moye School deputy headteacher Lawrence Gibaut, listed similar measures – including “avoiding or postponing vigorous physical activity during peak heat” and “providing access to shade during breaks and lunchtime” among other adaptations.
Public Health has recommended Islanders follow a number of “simple steps” to stay safe in the sun and heat, such as avoiding alcohol, drinking plenty of water and cooling off indoors during the hottest time of day or when the UV is at its strongest.
Other recommendations include leaving strenuous activities for later in the day when it is cooler, wearing a hat and loose light clothing and using sun cream when going outside with a minimum SPF of 30 – as well as opening windows, using fans and taking cool baths and showers.
Meanwhile, the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service has reminded Islanders looking to enjoy the use of disposable barbecues in the sunshine that “fires can start easily and spread quickly in dry conditions”.
“The land is still very dry and one spark is all it takes,” the service stated.
And head of water resilience at Jersey Water, Mark Bowden, said: “With temperatures rising over the weekend and potentially a record-breaking start to next week, Islanders need to stay well-hydrated.”
Mr Bowden continued: “Carrying water with you at all times is really recommended and, of course, you can top up at our water refill points across the Island.”
He also urged Islanders to be responsible with their water use: “We will always ask people to use water responsibly, such as taking shorter showers, filling your dishwashers and washing machines, and not watering your lawn, so we protect the Island’s limited water supplies, particularly if these heat waves become a regular feature this summer.”
