This morning’s gale was estimated to be in the top five strongest winds recorded in the Wanstead area since the great storm of 1987, according to a local weather enthusiast.

Scott Whitehead, 41, of Wanstead Park Avenue in Aldersbrook, has a computerised station set up in his back garden to measure temperature, wind speed and rainfall.

He recorded a top wind speed of 47.2mph at 6.53am, but believes it was probably higher due to his back garden being sheltered.

“The winds were recorded to be at a speed of 79mph at Andrewsfield Aviation in Braintree, so I think a more accurate reading in this area would have been around 60mph," Mr Whitehead said.

“The storm wasn’t on a par with the storm of 1987 but it was pretty vigorous and I would definitely say it was in the top five [since].

“I was really surprised at the amount of trees which fell down and I’d say at those wind speeds it definitely qualified as a strong gale at least.

“The national press is claiming the storm wasn’t very eventful but there have been three deaths reported so far so I really think it deserves the coverage it is getting – winds rarely blow like that around here.”

Mr Whitehead, a journalist, has been recording the weather in Wanstead since he moved to Aldersbrook in 1996.

He said: “It is like a hobby to me and just helps me pass the time. I record all types of weather and update Twitter and my website whenever I can.”

Mr Whitehead’s wind graphs show the gusts peaked at 7.00am this morning.

 

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