Craig Meschede was in inspired form with both ball and bat as Somerset seized the initiative in their LV= County Championship Division One clash against Durham, with 18 wickets falling on the opening day.
The Emirates Durham ICG was the only ground to see a full day's play due to the inclement weather disrupting the county programme once again.
And after losing the toss, Durham's early-season woes with the bat continued as they were all out for 125, with Craig Kieswetter and Meschede's sixth-wicket partnership of 107 helping Somerset to 220 for eight.
Only captain Phil Mustard and tail-ender Mitchell Claydon have hit half-centuries for Durham in four championship matches this year and Mark Stoneman top-scored on this occasion with 33.
Craig Overton was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Meschede picked up three scalps before Peter Trego's quickfire 40 put Somerset into the ascendancy after they had slipped to 45 for four.
Kieswetter and Meschede then helped the visitors gain a firm foothold and although the latter departed for 62, Kieswetter will resume on 60 on Thursday morning.
Alex Hales and Michael Lumb ensured Nottinghamshire overcame the early loss of opener Neil Edwards after deciding to bat against Middlesex at Trent Bridge before rain wiped out most of the afternoon session.
Edwards inside-edged Steven Finn's first ball onto his stumps before Hales (71 not out) and Lumb (51no) put on an unbeaten century partnership as Nottinghamshire closed on 132 for one.
Openers Daryl Mitchell and Michael Klinger's unbeaten half-century partnership ensured Worcestershire got off to a good start after choosing to bat against Kevin Pietersen and Surrey at New Road.
Captain Mitchell was the more attacking of the two and he will resume on 30 as his side reached 58 without loss before rain intervened after 26.1 overs.
The wet weather ensured there was no play whatsoever at Hove, where Sussex were due to entertain defending champions Lancashire, who are still looking for their first win this season after three defeats and a draw.
In Division Two, Gloucestershire's clash with Yorkshire at Bristol as well as Hampshire v Derbyshire at the Ageas Bowl was rained off.
There were just 9.4 overs possible at Chelmsford, but that was still enough time for Essex seamer Charl Willoughby to rip through Kent's top order.
Willoughby, released by Somerset last summer, took four wickets for just eight runs as Kent, who lost the toss, closed on 17 for five.
Leicestershire seamer Robbie Joseph took two wickets but Northamptonshire fought back through Kyle Coetzer's 43 not out as they closed on 99 for three in their 31.2 overs after being put into bat.
