Bank holiday washout was one of coldest on record

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Arctic winds swept across the country at speeds of up to 50mph in one of the coldest Whitsun Bank Holidays since records began in 1772.

Sleet lashed the Chilterns while hail battered cricket fans at Headingley. Beaches were deserted as rain continued to pour down across the country. The AA said thousands cut their long weekends short to battle appalling road conditions.

Scroll down for more...

The picture above shows a driver trying to negotiate a flood in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

Across the East of England, more than 74,000 homes were left without electricity as high winds and heavy rain brought down power lines. Last night more than 4,000 homes were still without power.

Scroll down for more...

Three inches of rain fell over 24 hours in some areas with St Catherine's Point on the Isle of Wight the most rain-soaked place. Dozens of homes and businesses in Suffolk were affected by floods.

In Devon, three teenage boys were dramatically winched out of a tree by an RAF helicopter after floodwaterengulfed their camping spot by the River Exe. After climbing to safety, the boys had raised the alarm using a mobile phone.

Scroll down for more...

The average temperature in the Midlands and central England was 46f (8c), and 50f-55f (10c-13c) elsewhere - well under the May average of 63f (17c). In High Wycombe, the temperatures fell to as low as 41f (5c) - less than the January average of 43f (6c).

According to the Met Office, the outlook for the rest of the week is better with temperatures gradually rising, although rain will continue to affect some areas. Further afield, storms, landslides, flash floods and lightning killed at least 18 people in France, Greece and Turkey.