1697 Hertfordshire Hailstorm

Weather event in England On May 15, 1697, a severe hailstorm tracked south-westwards between the towns of Hitchin (Hertfordshire) and Potton (Bedfordshire) in Southern England. The storm moved slowly, beginning at 9 am and finishing by 2 pm local time. The parent storm's total track length was at least 25 km mi on long.TORRO Research ~ Hail ~ Extremes https://www.torro.org.uk/research/hail/extremes 2023-01-15 www.torro.org.uk This hailstorm is widely considered to be the worst hailstorm ever documented in the United Kingdom, with the largest hail ever measured in addition. Widespread damage to property was reported where the hailstorm had passed through, with slate roof tiles smashed to pieces and resulting in at least 1 death.On this day in 1697 – Worst British hailstorm on record wreaks havoc from Hitchin to Potton, killing shepherd lad at Offley https://www.thecomet.net/news/22399177.day-1697---worst-british-hailstorm-record-wreaks-havoc-hitchin-potton-killing-shepherd-lad-offley/ 2023-01-15 The Comet 15 May 2017 enWeather in History 1650 to 1699 AD https://premium.weatherweb.net/weather-in-history-1650-to-1699-ad/ 2023-01-15 en-US This particular hailstorm was assessed by TORRO as having reached "H8" intensity on their hailstorm destructivity scale. It is the only H8 hailstorm to have occurred in the UK, and is only joined by a few H7 rated storms in the country's recorded history. A H8 hailstorm is described by TORRO as being "destructive" and contains hail large enough to damage airplanes. Anything above a H9 rating is considered a "super hailstorm".TORRO Research ~ Hail ~ The H Scale https://www.torro.org.uk/research/hail/hscale 2023-01-15 www.torro.org.uk Just 5 days prior to the 1697 Hertfordshire hailstorm, another destructive hailstorm had travelled over 85 km mi on from St. Asaph (Denbighshire) to Blackburn (Lancashire). This hailstorm is analysed by TORRO to have attained a H7 rating, making it joint second place for the worst hailstorm in British history. +All hailstorms rated H6+ and above in the UK since 1650TORRO TORRO 15 January 2023 Research - Hail - Most intense hailstorms https://www.torro.org.uk/research/hail/events TORRO.org.ukDateLocationHail destructivity index (H1-10)Path length 30 June 1687Alvanley, CheshireH6+Unknown.10 May 1697St. Asaph, Denbighshire to Blackburn, LancashireH785 km mi on15 May 1697Hitchin, Hertfordshire to Potton, BedfordshireH825 km mi on14 July 1719Seighford, StaffordshireH6+36 km mi on5 August 1761Benfield, NorthamptonshireH6+Unknown.19 August 1763Tunbridge Wells to Isle of Sheppey, KentH765 km mi on18 August 1797Helford Passage, CornwallH6+Unknown19 August 1800Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire to Clophill, BedfordshireH760 km mi on15 July 1808Poyntington, Dorset to Monmouth, MonmouthshireH6-795 km mi on24 July 1818Stronsay, Orkney to Ronaldsay, OrkneyH732 km mi on9 August 1843Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire to Horsey, NorfolkH7225 km mi on3 August 1879Teddington, London to Watford, HertfordshireH6-730 km mi on8 July 1893Baldersby, North Yorkshire to Barnard Castle, Co. DurhamH6-730 km mi on24 June 1897Slough, Buckinghamshire to Brightlingsea, EssexWebb Jonathan D. C. July 2012 Severe thunderstorms disrupt the Diamond Jubilee on Midsummer Day 1897 Weather en 67 7 174–175 10.1002/wea.1959 2012Wthr...67..174W 120650963 free H7115 km mi on4 July 1915Highbridge, Somerset to Winslow, BuckinghamshireH6-7165 km mi on5 September 1958W. Wittering, West Sussex to Maldon, EssexH6-7150 km mi on The worst hailstorm in British history is the 1697 Hertfordshire hailstorm. The longest tracked hailstorm ever documented in the UK was the 22 September 1935 storm which travelled from Newport, Gwent to Mundesley, Norfolk - a total distance of 335 km mi on. The last hailstorm in the UK to receive a rating of H6+ or above was the 5 September 1958 storm, to date since, there has not been any storm rated above H6. Measurements The hailstorm tracked for at least 25 km mi on over the towns of Hitchin, Potton and Offley. The largest hail is believed to have fallen over Offley, which sits to the southwest of Hitchin. The largest measured hail had a circumference of 343 mm in on, however anecdotal reports suggest hailstones may have reached as large as 445 mm in on, which would make these hailstones among some of the largest to have ever been documented. These circumferences correlate to hail diameters of between 110 and 140 mm in on. The pieces of ice were described as being of irregular shape, with some oval shaped, some rounded and some flat. In Hitchin, the ice reportedly piled up to 1.5 m ft on high. Local reports suggest that the hail was as large as a man's head.Eye Paul Simons: Weather Giant hailstones brought death and chaos in 1697 The Times en https://www.thetimes.com/travel/advice/giant-hailstones-brought-death-and-chaos-in-1697-scch52kg7cx 2023-01-15 0140-0460 At Hitchin, a report was made of a hail diameter of an astonishing 60 cm in on, if accurate, this would make it the largest hailstone ever to be documented as having fallen anywhere in the world, by far.Paris Matthew Flash Flood history East Anglia https://www.jbatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/East-Anglia.pdf Flash Flood History of East Anglia 3 Damages The hailstorms slow movement meant that it caused severe damage, especially around Hitchin and Offley. During the storm's passage, at least one person was killed due to the hail, a young shepherd caught outside during the falling of the bowling ball sized hailstones. The hailstones came into contact with the Earth with such speed that they 'tore up the ground' and were powerful enough to split great Oak trees down the middle. Any tiles or windows on houses were easily smashed by the stones.Thunderstorms in history. https://community.netweather.tv/topic/49269-thunderstorms-in-history/ 2023-01-15 Netweather Community Weather Forum September 2008 en-GB Widespread destruction was reported to crops, with every plantation 'felled before it [the hailstorm]', and people found precarious shelter in their homes. As well as one fatality, one person was found bruised all over, presumably unconscious. Pigeons, rooks and smaller birds were found brought down, as well as fatalities to livestock such as chickens. References Category:1697 in England Category:Meteorological events in 1697 Category:17th century in Hertfordshire Category:Weather events in England Category:Hailstorms