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John Kington (1998) commemorated the great storm of 1–2 October 1697 in Weather. The exceptionally high water levels in the German Bight on those days, due to an unlucky combination of a spring tide and a storm surge, were the highest recorded in the seventeenth century in that area. New data have surfaced since John Kington's study and in this contribution we hope to add to the existing knowledge by adding a few details and presenting tentative synoptic analyses of the situations preceding the storm and during the storm itself. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society

Abstract. On 1 August 1674 an active cold front moved over the Low Countries. The accompanying thunderstorms along the squall line were abnormally active, leading to large-scale damage in Europe, from northern France to the northern parts of Holland where damages were particularly severe. Using reported and pictured observations of damages and modern meteorological concepts, the reconstruction of the storm points to an exceptionally severe squall line. The orientation and the velocity of the squall line are reconstructed and shows a developed bow-echo structure. An estimate of the strength of the strongest wind gusts is ≈ 55–90 m s−1 and is based on an assessment of the damages caused by this event. A rough estimate of the return time of this event, based on observed hail size, is between 1000 and 10 000 years. This storm is compared to a more recent storm which was similar in dynamics but much less devastating. Special attention is given to the city of Utrecht which was hit hardest, and where the impact of this storm is still recognizable in the cityscape.

Abstract. On August 1st 1674 an active cold front moved over the low countries. The accompanying thunderstorms along the squall line were abnormally active, leading to large-scale damage in Europe, from northern France to the northern parts of Holland where damages were particularly severe. Using reported and pictured observations of damages, a reconstruction of this storm is made and an interpretation using modern meteorological concepts is given. The velocity of this exceptionally severe squall line and its orientation, including a developed bow-echo structure, are reconstructed. An estimate of the wind speeds associated with this event and an estimate of the return time of this event is given. This storm is compared to a more recent storm which was similar in dynamics but much less devastating. Special attention is given to the city of Utrecht which was hit hardest, and where the impact of this storm is still recognisable in the cityscape.