A Face like Thunder

iand61 thank you for this information, I appreciate it.

In fairness, I think our friends on the East coast have had it worse the past few days, and at least we have had a bit of sun to lessen the effects of the Easterly wind. No such luck today and rain has just arrived as forecast to add to a gloomy morning. Chris F was talking last night about the UK's only named wind - the 'Helm' or something - which apparently produced double-strength gale-force winds of 70mph+ on a Fell in the Lake District compared with a few miles away at a lower level. I thought we had the 'Foen' (misspelt?) as well, but maybe we've pinched that name from another country.

Dry but mainly cloudy and raw in the wind. Not what was forecast for today.

Variable cloud and sunny spells, and still a chilly wind. We've been promised more sun today than yesterday, but it remains to be seen whether this comes to pass.

We camped in Hants during the Spring Bank Holiday half term week and it was actually quite nice all week. But come 1st June - a friend's 21st - and the pouring rain put paid to any outdoor celebrations, and yes, after that, the summer was poor, although perhaps not as bad (my view) as 1985.

WillinGlossop Saltburn on the N Yorkshire coast - spent our childhood holidays there and wrote a book about it in 2015. A lovely place which I try and visit at least once a year.

Weather-history I was living in Lancaster at the time but do not remember much about this event. I think it was the following week / weekend that there were considerable flooding problems in York and Malton, possibly as a result of melting snow.

Iceaxecrampon agree Whitby but take your thermals WillinGlossop A varied day here, partly bright, partly cloudy, dry throughout but a keen wind keeping things cold, even in the sun.

Another nice morning but more cloud around and bright rather than sunny at the moment. Also more of a breeze, hence no mist earlier

Cloud has rolled in at times and a chilly wind has developed, but a nice day nevertheless. Front lawn cut for the first time this year and, with the mild wet weather we've had recently, it was needed.

A bit surprised with the early mist but now clearing into another lovely early Spring day.

A gorgeous early Spring day and little or no wind to peg the temperatures. With clear skies, I think we shall have a cold night ahead and I wonder whether we shall have another chance to see the Northern Lights. I hope so anyway as I missed them on Sunday.

damianslaw fully agree, 1985 was the worst in my experience, with the other three summers coming not far ahead.

Bright after an uncertain start and a dry few days ahead it seems after last night's rain cleared away.

Nice day but with a keen breeze. Clouded over now and rain not far away I believe.

Same here, another nice morning. Due for some rain later but should be mainly dry after that for the rest of the week.

Beautiful morning here after a cold frosty start.

Joe Snow Yes, we caught the same big hail shower. I put off going to Crewe Alex until it passed, but after that it was dry for the rest of the afternoon. Pity about the result but at least I didn't get wet.

Rain has stopped and perhaps surprising signs of it brightening up. Not sure whether it will last though.

Rain here as well but not as heavy in the last half hour as earlier, not that I'm reading much into that.

A miserable start to the day, as forecast. Combination of rain, sleety bits and wind = not nice out! Hopefully, if this is the squall line, the rain will clear shortly.

We missed most of the rain yesterday and dry but cloudy this morning.

Rain has finally arrived, quite a bit later than forecast, and now thoroughly miserable.

A cloudy damp-ish start to the day and rain not far away.

We've been lucky today with only the briefest of rain showers to interrupt an otherwise dry but cloudy day. Edit - our luck ran out, rain has just arrived!