Southwest England, along with many other areas of western Europe, are now recovering after the full onslaught of Storm Imogen during Monday.  At its peak the massive swell created by Imogen brought waves of up to 19 metres (63ft) to the north Cornwall coast (near St Ives), with over-topping reported around the coasts of England and France. Sea conditions in the area were described as “phenomenal”,  by the Met Office, the highest level possible on the World Meteorological Sea State Scale. This is quite a rarity for these parts.

Sea foam from Storm Imogen

These extremely high and quite dangerous seas and the resulting over-topping created some interesting photo opportunities. They managed to churn up loads of sea foam in the town of Croyde, and whilst it was too dangerous out at sea, a few surfers were able to surf upstream river waves through the centre of the town of Bude.

Surfing the river through Bude

The swell will remain elevated for a couple days yet, gradually decreasing in size, although only a few well sheltered spots are likely to become clean enough for a good session.