. . . when an unpleasant weather system made the news headlines . . .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/14/newsid_3886000/3886877.stm

I remember it appearing on the telly news at that time as I was 12 years old then, a time when I was just starting to get "into" the weather.

If you look into this: http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/auth.html (you may have to register if you're a first time user), then go to the Archive section in the AVHRR list of past images at the top half of the page, you can then come across a satellite image of that system taken on that fateful day. 

My goodness - Can't believe that is 34 years ago now.