Jersey Sizzles: Hottest and Sunniest Summer Since 1894!

Jersey has just experienced its hottest summer since weather records began in 1894, according to the Jersey Met Office. The average temperature for June, July, and August reached 20. 5 degrees Celsius, or 68. 9 degrees Fahrenheit. This is noticeably higher than the 30-year average for these months, which is 17. 7 degrees Celsius, or 63. 9 degrees Fahrenheit. The single hottest day was June 25, when the temperature soared to 39. 3 degrees Celsius, or 102. 7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Regional meteorologists say these numbers match what scientists are seeing around the world: climate change is causing hotter summers and making dry spells more likely. This summer, Jersey experienced three heatwaves, and on 13 different days, the temperature climbed above 30 degrees Celsius, or 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The previous record for the warmest summer was set just two years ago, in 2022, when the average temperature was 19. 6 degrees Celsius, or 67. 3 degrees Fahrenheit.

It was also a very sunny summer, with 986 hours of sunshine recorded, making it the second sunniest summer ever. The sunniest summer on record was in 1976, with 999 hours of sunshine, while the dullest was in 1927, with only 578 hours. Rainfall was below average, with 106. 9 millimeters, or 4. 2 inches, falling during the summer. However, this was not a record low. In 1976, only 9. 8 millimeters, or 0. 3 inches, of rain fell. The average summer rainfall between 1991 and 2020 was 158 millimeters, or 6. 2 inches. Despite the dry weather, Jersey did not experience drought conditions or need to impose hosepipe bans, unlike other parts of the UK. Paul Aked from Jersey Met said this summer was similar to 1976, but 2026 was even hotter, with more heatwaves and higher peak temperatures.