Channel Islands Sizzle in Record-Breaking Summer Heatwave!

The Channel Islands are experiencing what could be their hottest summer ever in 2026, according to local weather experts. Meteorologists from Jersey Met have reported that the average temperature in Jersey from June 1 to August 15 was 20. 9 degrees Celsius, which is 3. 2 degrees higher than the average from 1991 to 2020. Guernsey also saw higher than normal temperatures, with an average of 19. 2 degrees Celsius, about 3 degrees above its usual average. These numbers show that the islands are getting much warmer than they used to be.

This summer has also brought record-breaking high temperatures. On June 25, Guernsey reached 36. 4 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature ever recorded there. Jersey was even hotter, hitting 39. 3 degrees Celsius on the same day, which is also a new record. Along with the heat, there has been much less rain than usual. Jersey only got 69. 6 millimeters of rain this summer, compared to the 30-year average of 158 millimeters. Guernsey had even less, with just 43. 2 millimeters, while the average is usually 147. 6 millimeters.

Despite the heat and dry weather, the Channel Islands have not had to deal with droughts or hosepipe bans like some other places. Paul Aked from Jersey Met explained that the sea around the islands helps keep the air a bit cooler, even when it is very hot. He also said that a hot summer does not mean the winter will be especially cold or wet. The weather this year is a sign that climate change is making summers hotter and drier, and people on the islands are paying close attention to how the weather is changing.