8oz hailstones at Woolwich: 22nd July 1925

[Weather-history]

Severe thunderstorms broke out in a line from Sussex to the Wirral on the 22nd of July 1925. At Woolwich at about 6.30pm, hailstones the size of a man's fist were reported and weighed over 8oz (226g+). Unsurprisingly, there was extensive damage.

Rainfall totals for 22nd July 1925

Woolwich: 1.71"

Nutfield Priory, Surrey: 2.55"

Twickenham: 1.95"

Solihull: 2.17"

From the Times of the 23rd July 1925

[Weather-history]

Funnel clouds were observed at Shoeburyness and over Cambrigeshire. 53mph squall was recorded at Shoeburyness and a 45mph gust at Cambridge.

Here's some more figures that the experts can chew over.

South Farnborough 1pm

Surface wind direction: 130 degrees (8mph)
1,000ft: 110 degrees (11mph)
4,000ft: 105 degrees (30mph)
6,000ft: 155 degrees (39mph)
10,000ft: 155 degrees (50mph)

 

From Guardian of 23rd July 1925

 

 

 

[Weather-history]

A selection of newspaper articles

 

 

   

[A Face like Thunder]

'Inmates' - not sure we'd approve of that being used to describe householders nowadays!

According to Philip Eden, the largest authenticated UK hailstone - 10cm across and weighing 141g - fell during a memorable storm at Horsham on 5th September 1958. Eden had the largest hailstone on 22nd July 1925 measuring 6cm across.

   

[Thunderboom]

I'm curious what was the largest hail recorded in london?

[Metwatch]

Looking at the reanalysis, no surprise the storms became this severe. Potent cut-off low with a very warm and evidently unstable airmass moving up from France. Probably decent shear mixed in as well. I believe this one is called a modified or easterly Spanish plume.

Max temps on the day:

Edited July 3 by Metwatch