55 BC
Julius Caesar was thwarted in his first invasion of Britain because of strong north-westerly winds.

Aug-Sept 1588
The Spanish Armada was wrecked during its retreat past Scotland and Ireland.

1607
The first Frost Fair was held on the frozen river Thames in London. It had tents, sideshows and food stalls. The climate between 1550 and 1750 was known as the Little Ice Age, when winters were so cold that the Thames froze over each year for many years, permitting the Frost Fairs. The last one was held in the winter of 1813-14.

2-6 Sept 1666
The Great Fire of London, which followed a prolonged dry spell, was made worse by a strong easterly wind which fanned the flames. A drought during 1665 and 1666 had left the wooden buildings of London as dry as tinder wood making it quicker for the fire to take hold. The fire destroyed thousands of houses and public buildings, including St Paul's Cathedral.

15 May 1697
The most severe hailstorm was thought to be this one which struck Hitchin and Offley in Hertfordshire, causing at least one death, tearing up the ground and splitting oak trees in two. The hailstones were about 60 mm (2¼ in) in diameter in Hitchin and 110 mm (4¼ in) in Offley, with some reputed to be 140 mm (5½ in).