Meteorological Context and Formation
The Great Storm occurred during a period when the understanding of meteorology was still rudimentary. It is believed to have been an intense extratropical cyclone, formed over the Atlantic Ocean, driven by the collision of cold polar air masses with warm, moist air from the south. The storm rapidly intensified as it approached the British Isles, reaching hurricane-force wind speeds.
Records from the time describe winds reaching estimated speeds of up to 80 to 90 miles per hour (130 to 145 kilometers per hour), though precise measurements are unavailable due to the lack of modern instruments. The storm peaked on the night of November 26 to 27, 1703, wreaking havoc across southern and western England, Wales, and parts of northern France and the Low Countries.
The Impact: Wind, Flood, and Fire
Wind Damage
The destructive power of the storm’s winds was unprecedented. Buildings, including churches, homes, and important public structures, were severely damaged or completely destroyed. In London alone, over 2,000 chimney stacks were blown down, which led to a citywide outbreak of fires as sparks and embers were scattered by the gale.
Trees were uprooted en masse, ships were wrecked along the coasts, and the landscape was dramatically altered. The storm felled ancient oaks and shattered structures that had stood for centuries. Coastal towns and ports experienced severe damage to their infrastructure and docks. shutdown123