Col wrote:
Conditions today in and around Bolton town centre at lunchtime
were truely horrendous. My estimate of gusts of around 80mph
seem to correlate well with those recorded in NW England
on Weatheronline. Certainly some of the strongest winds I've
ever personally exprerienced. A wind to take your breath away,
almost impossible to walk against and then knocking you
sideways, the air full of swirling leaves and twigs.
It remains to be seen whether my umbrella is repairable

Highest winds here between 1pm and 3pm, gusting to approx 55mph.


Bolton town centre was just surreal. The wind howling around
and one of those wheeled bins breaking free and gliding
across the street. At one point I had to return a pushchair
(complete with small child) to it's owner as it too made a bid
for freedom and ran into my path

Fortunately the only damage at home appears to be a small
fence panel down.


Trees have toppled, fence panels flying and wheelie bins scudding along
roads. Most of the trees that have fallen have not brought up much
roots or soil, seemed to be rotten at the base. One house owner nearby,
was lucky when a tree fell towards his house, it just grazed the side of
his house, knocking off the gutting.

In Bloxwich, (Walsall) High street closed off, two coppers on point
duty, they looked decidedly cold. A policeman's lot is not a happy one!

What a day!

Y'can said that again Col, I feel like I'd been standing in front of a
giant air dryer all day. I feel all blown and dried !

Joe
Wolverhampton
175m asl