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In England, the storm started with violent winds and snow, which reached Cornwall during the morning. Prior its arrival a number of record low temperatures were reached for December, with -25.2C at [[RAF Shawbury]] in [[Shropshire]],<ref>[http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/philip-eden/Snowiest-of-20th-century.htm Philip Eden: Snowiest of 20th century]- ''weatheronline.co.uk'', accessed 2011-03-25</ref> -5.5C in [[Southampton]],<ref>[http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8717227.Forecasters_predict__12_tonight_in_Hampshire/ Weather forecasters predict -12 tonight in Hampshire] ''Southern Daily Echo'', published 2010-12-02, accessed 2011-03-25</ref> while in [[Wales]] a record of -22.7C was recorded at [[Corwen]] in [[Denbighshire]].
In England, the storm started with violent winds and snow, which reached Cornwall during the morning. Prior its arrival a number of record low temperatures were reached for December, with -25.2C at [[RAF Shawbury]] in [[Shropshire]],<ref>[http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/philip-eden/Snowiest-of-20th-century.htm Philip Eden: Snowiest of 20th century]- ''weatheronline.co.uk'', accessed 2011-03-25</ref> -5.5C in [[Southampton]],<ref>[http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8717227.Forecasters_predict__12_tonight_in_Hampshire/ Weather forecasters predict -12 tonight in Hampshire] ''Southern Daily Echo'', published 2010-12-02, accessed 2011-03-25</ref> while in [[Wales]] a record of -22.7C was recorded at [[Corwen]] in [[Denbighshire]].


In the evening spring tides combined with a {{convert|1.45|m|ft|abbr=on}} [[storm surge]]<ref>{{cite web|title=CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE SEVERN ESTUARY Sea level|url=http://www.severnestuary.net/sep/partnership/docs/ClimateChangeReportCard2.pdf|publisher=Severn Estuary Parnership|accessdate=8 February 2012}}</ref> resulted in the highest water levels recorded in the [[Bristol Channel]] since the start of the 20th century, causing extensive flooding and damage estimated at £6 million along the [[Somerset]] coast.<ref name="Proctor" >[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VBJ-4894SJT-4V/2/3d135aea22b108843b09741dbba9350a Storm surge prediction in the Bristol Channel--the floods of 13 December 1981] R. Proctor, R.A. Flather, Continental Shelf Research, Volume 9, Issue 10, October 1989, Pages 889-918, ISSN 0278-4343, {{doi|10.1016/0278-4343(89)90064-2}}, accessed 2011-03-25</ref><ref name=bos-06-12-13>[http://www.burnham-on-sea.com/1981-storm.shtml 1981 Storm in photos - December 13th 1981] ''Burnham-On-Sea.com'' published 2006-12-13, accessed 2011-03-25</ref> Water from melting snow, caused by milder weather accompanying the depression, added to the flooding.<ref name=bos-06-12-13 />
In the evening spring tides combined with a {{convert|1.45|m|ft|abbr=on}} [[storm surge]]<ref>{{cite web|title=CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE SEVERN ESTUARY Sea level|url=http://www.severnestuary.net/sep/partnership/docs/ClimateChangeReportCard2.pdf|publisher=Severn Estuary Parnership|accessdate=8 February 2012}}</ref> resulted in the highest water levels recorded in the [[Bristol Channel]] since the start of the 20th century.<ref name="Proctor" >[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VBJ-4894SJT-4V/2/3d135aea22b108843b09741dbba9350a Storm surge prediction in the Bristol Channel--the floods of 13 December 1981] R. Proctor, R.A. Flather, Continental Shelf Research, Volume 9, Issue 10, October 1989, Pages 889-918, ISSN 0278-4343, {{doi|10.1016/0278-4343(89)90064-2}}, accessed 2011-03-25</ref><ref name=bos-06-12-13>[http://www.burnham-on-sea.com/1981-storm.shtml 1981 Storm in photos - December 13th 1981] ''Burnham-On-Sea.com'' published 2006-12-13, accessed 2011-03-25</ref> Water from melting snow, caused by milder weather accompanying the depression, added to the flooding.<ref name=bos-06-12-13 /> The maximum surge at [[Hinkley Point]] was measured at {{convert|1.3|m}} above the {{convert|7.4|m}} tidal level Ordnance Datum (OD) at 2025 hours, and {{convert|1.3|m}} measured at [[Avonmouth]]. The wind was measured at {{convert|40|knots}} from the west. Over topping of the sea defences along a {{convert|7|mi}} stretch of the North Somerset coast at 22 locations from [[Clevedon]] to [[Porlock]] began after 19:30, and continued until about 21:30 when the wind speed had reached {{convert|50|knots}} from the west. Although there was no loss of life, the resultant flooding covered {{convert|12500|acre}} of land, affecting 1072 houses and commercial properties, with £150,000 worth of livestock killed and £50,000 of feed and grain destroyed. [[Wessex Water|Wessex Water Authority]] estimated the total cost of the damage caused at £6m, resulting in a three year programme of sea defence assessment, repair and improvement.<ref name=SatSea>{{cite web|url=http://a0768b4a8a31e106d8b0-50dc802554eb38a24458b98ff72d550b.r19.cf3.rackcdn.com/gesw1206blpp-e-e.pdf|title=Somerset and the sea|publisher=[[Environment Agency|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref>


In France, the storm caused widespread flooding in the south west, causing considerable damage in the [[Drainage basin|river basins]] of the [[Garonne]] and [[Adour]] and flooding the city of [[Bordeaux]].<ref>[http://pluiesextremes.meteo.fr/1981-12-13/inondations-generalisees-sur-le-sud-ouest.html Inondations généralisées sur le Sud-Ouest] [[Météo-France]], accessed 2011-03-25</ref>
In France, the storm caused widespread flooding in the south west, causing considerable damage in the [[Drainage basin|river basins]] of the [[Garonne]] and [[Adour]] and flooding the city of [[Bordeaux]].<ref>[http://pluiesextremes.meteo.fr/1981-12-13/inondations-generalisees-sur-le-sud-ouest.html Inondations généralisées sur le Sud-Ouest] [[Météo-France]], accessed 2011-03-25</ref>

Revision as of 16:26, 5 January 2014

The December 1981 windstorm was a severe storm that particularly affected southern England, Wales and south west France during December 13, 1981. The storm formed as a secondary low.[1]

In England, the storm started with violent winds and snow, which reached Cornwall during the morning. Prior its arrival a number of record low temperatures were reached for December, with -25.2C at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire,[2] -5.5C in Southampton,[3] while in Wales a record of -22.7C was recorded at Corwen in Denbighshire.

In the evening spring tides combined with a 1.45 m (4.8 ft) storm surge[4] resulted in the highest water levels recorded in the Bristol Channel since the start of the 20th century.[1][5] Water from melting snow, caused by milder weather accompanying the depression, added to the flooding.[5] The maximum surge at Hinkley Point was measured at 1.3 metres (4 ft 3 in) above the 7.4 metres (24 ft) tidal level Ordnance Datum (OD) at 2025 hours, and 1.3 metres (4 ft 3 in) measured at Avonmouth. The wind was measured at 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) from the west. Over topping of the sea defences along a 7 miles (11 km) stretch of the North Somerset coast at 22 locations from Clevedon to Porlock began after 19:30, and continued until about 21:30 when the wind speed had reached 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph) from the west. Although there was no loss of life, the resultant flooding covered 12,500 acres (5,100 ha) of land, affecting 1072 houses and commercial properties, with £150,000 worth of livestock killed and £50,000 of feed and grain destroyed. Wessex Water Authority estimated the total cost of the damage caused at £6m, resulting in a three year programme of sea defence assessment, repair and improvement.[6]

In France, the storm caused widespread flooding in the south west, causing considerable damage in the river basins of the Garonne and Adour and flooding the city of Bordeaux.[7]

The MV Bonita, an 8000 tonne Ecuadorian cargo ship sailing from Hamburg to Panama was caught in the storm in the English Channel. 29 were rescued from the ship, 4 by helicopter until the storm was too strong for the helicopter to operate. The remaining crew were rescued by the Guernsey lifeboat, however there were 2 fatalities.[8][9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Storm surge prediction in the Bristol Channel--the floods of 13 December 1981 R. Proctor, R.A. Flather, Continental Shelf Research, Volume 9, Issue 10, October 1989, Pages 889-918, ISSN 0278-4343, doi:10.1016/0278-4343(89)90064-2, accessed 2011-03-25
  2. ^ Philip Eden: Snowiest of 20th century- weatheronline.co.uk, accessed 2011-03-25
  3. ^ Weather forecasters predict -12 tonight in Hampshire Southern Daily Echo, published 2010-12-02, accessed 2011-03-25
  4. ^ "CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE SEVERN ESTUARY Sea level" (PDF). Severn Estuary Parnership. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  5. ^ a b 1981 Storm in photos - December 13th 1981 Burnham-On-Sea.com published 2006-12-13, accessed 2011-03-25
  6. ^ {{cite web|url=http://a0768b4a8a31e106d8b0-50dc802554eb38a24458b98ff72d550b.r19.cf3.rackcdn.com/gesw1206blpp-e-e.pdf%7Ctitle=Somerset and the sea|publisher=[[Environment Agency|accessdate=5 December 2014}}
  7. ^ Inondations généralisées sur le Sud-Ouest Météo-France, accessed 2011-03-25
  8. ^ "Guernsey lifeboat's 1981 rescue of Bonita crew remembered". BBC. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  9. ^ "I felt urge to slide into sea to escape nightmare... these brave men gave me 30 more years". The Sun. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
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