Jersey: 2024 was seventh warmest year on record, say forecasters
Another red stripe has been added to the Jersey Climate Stripes after the island recorded its seventh warmest year in 2024. Jersey Met Office said the average temperature in 2024 was 12.95C, recorded from daily night-time minimum and daily maximum temperatures.Forecasters said official temperatures had been recorded at the Maison Louis Observatory since 1894. Paul Aked, head of meteorology, said the daily maximum temperatures were on average 0.32C higher than the long-term average. He said the night-time minimums were 0.81C above the long-term average.
Mr Aked said: "It is in this detail, you can see the impacts warmer nights are having, contributing to the overall annual temperature being the seventh warmest on record."Along with temperature rise, for every degree our atmosphere warms, the atmosphere can hold 7% more moisture, adding to the wetter weather."He said as a result, we should be prepared for the potential of seeing "more extreme weather events" as temperatures continued to rise.
'Reduce carbon footprint'
Deputy Steve Luce, minister for the environment, said the increasing temperatures were "greatly concerning"."With increasing temperatures are associated impacts on biodiversity, food security, and sea levels - which as an island is greatly concerning," Luce said.He said this year, he would continue to encourage islanders to reduce their carbon footprint. "We must ensure Jersey remains on a pathway to net zero by 2050, in line with the internationally recognised targets of the Paris Agreement."
There are now 131 stripes at the Waterfront, which represent the years from 1894 to 2024, Jersey Met said. The new stripe will be added to the wall on 18 January.It added: "Using colour, the stripes show how the island's climate is warming over time, and act as a visual climate change reminder."
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