Longest spell of warm dry weather for seven years

 

Temperatures over the last five days have risen above 26°C, and over the last four days have exceeded 27°C. 

 

Jersey Met is forecasting maximum temperatures of between 26°C and 30°C over the next six days, with the warmest day expected on Monday. The last time Jersey Met forecast six consecutive days with maximum temperatures above 26°C, was 19 July 2006.

 

There is no universally agreed definition of a heat wave but the World Meteorological Organisation suggests a heat wave is a period when maximum temperatures are more than five degrees above average for more than five consecutive days. The average maximum temperature over the standard 30 year climate period for this time of year in Jersey is around 22°C.

 

“On this basis”, said Principal Meteorological Officer, Anthony Pallot, “we are not in a heat wave yet. However with forecast maximum temperatures towards the weekend expected to remain high, we are likely to be in heat wave conditions by the end of the week.” 

 

According to Mr Pallot, the current period of hot dry weather is likely to continue into next week, with drought conditions looking a real possibility by the weekend.

 

Heat wave:
When the daily maximum temperature of more than five consecutive days exceeds the average maximum temperature by 5°C (World Meteorological Organisation)