WATCH: Could Jersey hit 40°C? Meteorologists say they can no longer rule it out

Jersey could experience temperatures of 40°C this week, according to the head of Jersey Met, who says forecasters can no longer rule out the unprecedented milestone as an intense heatwave grips the Island.

Paul Aked (pictured top) said the next few days would bring “extremely hot” conditions, with Tuesday and Wednesday expected to be the peak of the heat.

Ooof… how hot could it get?

“Over the next couple of days it’s going to be extremely hot, and through the week we could see temperatures up into the high 30s, and we can’t rule out the temperatures going into 40 degrees, particularly Tuesday and Wednesday,” Mr Aked said.

The highest temperature officially recorded in Jersey is 37.9°C, set in July 2022.

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“The highest temperature we’ve ever recorded officially in Jersey is 37.9 degrees. So this week we could break that record,” he said.

What about when I’m trying to sleep?

Mr Aked warned that nights would bring little relief.

“Night times are going to be very warm and sticky. We could see temperatures above 20, and we call that a tropical night, and we’re expecting two or three of those this week,” he said.

“It’s going to be difficult overnight, as well as during the heat of the day.”

He added that Jersey could also challenge its record for the warmest night ever recorded.

Could climate change be playing a role?

Addressing whether the heatwave was linked to climate change, Mr Aked said Jersey’s climate was already warmer than it had been historically.

“Our climate is warmer now than it has been historically, so we’re starting a little bit higher than we normally would, so we are seeing temperatures increase,” he said.

How does it compare with the (in)famous summer of ’76?

The current heatwave is also forecast to exceed temperatures recorded during the famous summer of 1976.

“Back in 1976 the temperatures were around the low 30s. In fact, we had temperatures up to 33,” Mr Aked said.

“What we’re looking at in the next couple of days is temperatures between 37 and 39 and, as I say, we can’t rule out the temperature reaching 40 degrees.”

What should Islanders do?

Mr Aked urged Islanders to follow advice from Public Health and check on people who may be particularly vulnerable to the heat.

“It’s really about looking after people and looking after yourselves to keep cool during this very, very hot period,” he said.

Schools, meanwhile, are making their own arrangements with each expected to contact parents individually. Some have already indicated they will be closing early tomorrow.

The Education Department said in a statement around 1pm today: “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.

“We remain in communication with all schools regarding their operational plans during the hot weather. If a school needs to adjust their normal routine, then this will be communicated directly to parents through their usual channels.”