MARK STONEMAN provided the rock around which Durham built an impressive response to Middlesex's 389 on another perishing day at Emirates Riverside.

The left-handed opener capitalised relentlessly on being dropped on 19 to turn his 15th first-class century into his second highest score of 139 before a snow flurry ended play 11 balls early.

His best of 187 came against the same opponents here two years ago and he will hope to pass that today when Durham resume on 295 for four.

A howling wind coming straight off the Arctic made life very unpleasant for Middlesex and Durham added 130 without losing a wicket in the afternoon session.

England Under 19 batsman Jack Burnham brimmed with confidence and class in scoring 61 of those, only to fall straight after tea.

Ben Stokes, who earlier finished with four for 80, made only nine before becoming the third victim for the improving Steve Finn, whose first four overs had cost 30.

The England all-rounder's exit stymied Durham's hopes of racing towards parity by the close and Stoneman was obliged to throttle back as afternoon sun gave way to fading light.

A flurry of snow just after 5pm was mercifully brief and as the sun re-emerged Stoneman continued to profit from any width outside off stump, scoring a high percentage of his runs through backward point.

While they were effortlessly steered, it was a spanking cover drive off Toby Roland-Jones which took him to his hundred off 139 balls.

He is now in sole occupation of fourth place among Durham's first-class century-makers behind Paul Collingwood and Dale Benkenstein with 21 each, plus Michael Di Venuto on 18.

Durham swiftly polished off the Middlesex tail in the morning. The temperature had read three degrees C when a sleet shower passed over 40 minutes before the start, and given the cold conditions it was surprising that Stokes found some swing.

Paul Stirling followed his fourth ball of the day to edge to wicketkeeper Michael Richardson after adding three to his overnight 41.

Tim Murtagh tried to glance a leg-side ball from Graham Onions and gloved a catch to the diving Richardson, then the last pair added 21 before Stokes bowled Finn.

The momentum stayed with Durham as Stoneman and Keaton Jennings raced to 71 in the 13th over, helped by James Harris dropping Stoneman at long leg off Tim Murtagh.

Finn's opening over cost ten as Jennings drove him wide of mid-on then forced him through the covers off the back foot for another four.

Following his two centuries against Somerset, Jennings looked in prime form, only to depart for 34 when he gloved an attempted pull to wicketkeeper John Simpson.

Finn tightened up and Harris suddenly found some extra bounce from a good length, having Scott Borthwick caught behind for five.

After lunch Burnham initially outpaced his partner, his confident driving never more obvious than when advancing to meet Stirling's efforts to bowl off spin.

As the wind gathered strength the umpires had to send for heavier bails, but for the most part it was a sunny afternoon.

Burnham was slightly fortunate when he lofted Roland-Jones just out of long leg's reach, but he drove the next ball through the covers for his ninth four, taking him to 50 off 97 balls.

He was driving a little too ambitiously at Finn straight after tea when he was lbw to a ball which nipped in slightly.

Stokes looked supremely comfortable, but after one punched drive through extra cover off Finn he tried to whip a shorter ball to leg and popped it up to mid-wicket, where Stirling dived forward to hold the catch.

Richardson gave solid support in the final 23 overs, reaching 31, and with Paul Collingwood to come Durham will hope to build a lead.

*South Africa-born Brydon Carse, 20, has signed a development contract with Durham until the end of the season.

He has featured in all Durham's first three matches and said: “It’s great to be offered something a step up from where I was.

“A lot of hard work has gone into getting my body fit and I need to keep taking my opportunities. At Durham everyone is treated the same whether you are in the academy, second team or first team. The team vibe is excellent and it's a great club to be a part of."