Islanders warned of potential record-breaking heat

People in Jersey have been warned of potentially record-breaking temperatures as the second heatwave of the year approaches.

Messages have been sent out by Jersey Met, the Channel Islands' forecasting service, urging people to avoid the direct sun and to stay hydrated.

Paul Aked, head of meteorology at Jersey Met, said this week would bring a heatwave with some "extremely high temperatures."

"Across the islands, we are looking at potentially record-breaking temperatures," he added.

Aked said: "The hottest temperature we have recorded here officially in Jersey is 37.9, we could see that temperature record being broken.

"Equally, we have some nighttime that could be very warm, they aren't going to be low temperatures - so it's tough to recover and get a good night sleep.

"It is not unusual to get a heatwave, but this is a little bit more extreme."

Aked said he could not rule out the temperature reaching 40C in Jersey.

Claire Thompson, chief operating officer at Acute Services for Health and Care Jersey said it had taken a range of actions to keep the Hospital as cool as possible during the predicted heatwave - including installing air conditioning units on wards and allocating fans across the hospital estates.

She said: "Unfortunately, due to our ageing hospital facilities we have to limit the amount of electrical equipment that can be safely plugged in in some areas without creating a risk of fire or electrical overload.

"However, the temperature of wards are frequently taken to ensure they are operating at safe limits."

Thompson said they had also "stocked up on ice cubes and ice pops" for patients and staff.

Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey, issued further guidance urging people to:

• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid too much alcohol

• Try and keep out of direct sun in the hottest time of the day

• Exercise in the cooler parts of the day (early morning or evening)

• Apply sunscreen, wear a hat and loose-fitting clothing

• Look out for older family members and friends

• Close windows and curtains in rooms which face the sun (and open them when they are in the shade)

• Take care if you are in and around the sea

• Look out for the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke - and know how to provide first aid

Mieke Dutoit moved from South Africa to Jersey in January.

She works at The Waffle House, in St Helier - where she said it was "difficult to keep up with the heat".

She said: "I think the biggest concern in the ice cream shop is because the ice cream machine can't keep up with the weather."

Dutoit said she was "shocked" at the weather when she arrived in Jersey.

"I was shocked when I got here and experienced this weather. It is so much more hotter than South Africa, so you never get used to the heat actually."

"It hasn't usually been like this. It's going to be record-breaking weather again, we had record-breaking weather last month."

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