Storm Darragh Leaves Welsh Village Engulfed in Foam
The aftermath of Storm Darragh in a Welsh coastal village has left residents and visitors stunned as the serene beach of Porthor, also known as Whistling Sands, was completely covered in foam. The dramatic scene unfolded over the weekend as the storm unleashed its full force, whipping the sea into a frenzy and creating a surreal winter wonderland. Porthor, located at the northern tip of the Llyn Peninsula, is a popular destination during the summer months, drawing crowds to its picturesque charm and the National Trust-run café. However, the winter season often brings severe weather conditions to the coastline.
During the peak of Storm Darragh, the entire beach at Porthor was transformed into a blanket of white foam, with powerful winds pushing waves towards the café and up the adjacent cliffs. Stephen Harrison, a 56-year-old sea fisherman who runs the Sblash fish bar in the nearby village of Aberdaron, captured the extraordinary sight on camera. Reflecting on the event, Harrison, who has been a fisherman for 42 years, expressed his amazement, saying, “I’ve never seen it as bad as that before, maybe only once when it came close.”
Similar scenes of sea foam engulfing the coastline were witnessed in Conwy, where snowy conditions at the Llanfairfechan seafront left homes and cars covered in foam. The promenade was described as a “white-out”, with local residents expressing astonishment at the unusual sight. The Met Office recorded gusts of up to 92mph in Aberdaron overnight, making it one of the most severely affected areas by Storm Darragh. Capel Curig in Eryri (Snowdonia) also faced extreme wind speeds, reaching 93mph, placing it at the forefront of the UK’s wind speed rankings during the storm.
Sea foam is a common occurrence along the north Pen Llyn coast due to turbulent waters causing dissolved organic materials to form bubbles that cling together. Tesni Harrison, Stephen’s daughter, explained that while sea foam is not unusual in the area, the amount witnessed at Porthor during the storm was unusually high. Porthor, one of only two beaches in Europe where visitors can experience squeaky sand, is known for its unique natural phenomenon where sand emits a whistling sound when compressed. However, during winter, the beach experiences more hazardous conditions, with a history of maritime disasters during severe storms.
Tesni Harrison highlighted the contrast between the bustling summer season at Porthor, where visitors enjoy drinks and ice cream outside the café, and the foam-covered beach seen over the weekend. She shared her experience of the storm, saying, “Being in the centre of the peninsula, it’s more sheltered than Aberdaron, which often bears the brunt of the storms.” Despite the village’s resilience to withstand the storm, Aberdaron was left without power since Friday evening, with the situation only improving by Monday afternoon.
The impact of Storm Darragh on Welsh coastal communities serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and powerful forces of nature that residents must contend with. While the foam-covered beaches may present a mesmerising sight, they also signify the potential dangers and disruptions caused by severe weather events. As communities recover and reflect on the aftermath of the storm, the resilience and adaptability of coastal villages like Aberdaron continue to be tested in the face of such extreme conditions.