Hold on to your flags we’re in for a blustery Liberation Day!

Thursday 07 May 2015

We're not seeing the same sort of record breaking temperatures Islanders enjoyed back in 1945 and it looks like it's going to be a lot windier for the Liberation 70 celebrations on Saturday.

Jersey Met are forecasting strong winds at the weekend but say it should stay dry for the events planned for People's Park.

Jersey Met's Duty Forecaster Mark Le Cornu said:  “At the moment we are expecting it to be pretty breezy, a southwest to west wind, fresh to strong, so there will be quite a stiff breeze blowing. Broadly speaking, it will be force 5 to 7, and at its strongest at lunchtime but starting to ease during the afternoon.

"There may be a tiny bit of rain on Friday night but that should clear before anyone is up and about on Saturday. There is a possibility of a shower in the morning, we’re hoping that doesn’t come to pass and there is a fair chance that it won’t.”

You should probably wrap up if you are heading down to the celebrations on Saturday and be prepared for a shower just in case. Mr Le Cornu said it won’t be “feeling desperately warm” for the Grand Parade, act of remembrance and commemorative theatrical production all planned for People’s Park, that will be followed by a tea party and food fair and night-time finale, headlined by Nerina Pallot. 

Temperatures reached 24 degrees in the week leading up to 9 May seventy years ago and although the day itself was quite a bit cooler at 17 degrees, there were only light winds.

Strong winds have already caused havoc for Islanders in the run up to this year's Liberation Day.

Police had to close off Victoria Avenue to rush hour traffic heading eastbound on Monday morning after decorative flags put up for the 70^th anniversary celebrations broke free and were flapping into the carriageway.

Although no one was hurt, the back of one car was hit by a loose bar flying in the wind, smashing through its rear window.