Britain hit by tornadoes
Tornados have been reported in Warwickshire, Hampshire, Luton and Northampton
Monday, 24, Sep 2007 05:41
A number of tornadoes have been reported across Britain today as forecasters warn that conditions are conducive for the extreme weather system.
Strong winds have damaged property and disrupted life in Nuneaton in the West Midlands, Hampshire, Luton and Northampton.
A suspected tornado early in the morning in Nuneaton damaged 35 homes. Shopkeeper John Maidwell told Sky News that the roofs of many houses had been damaged by the strong winds.
Another tornado was reported in Farnborough in Hampshire which damaged at least 20 houses in the area.
Similar reports of extreme winds came from Luton and Northampton
A Met Office spokesman said that it was not yet possible to confirm whether so-called weak tornadoes had been experienced but that the evidence suggested they were.
"The observed damage and eyewitness accounts do suggest we did see some tornadoes," Dave Britton said.
He added that the weather conditions this morning would have seen some "very squally, gusty winds which would have been enough to shift a caravan or knock over a chimney" and that not all the damage reported may have been tornado-related.
"Exactly where they were is very difficult to be sure about," he added.
According to the Met Office, Britain experiences about 200 tornadoes a year and is the "most tornadic country in Europe" because of the frequency of cold dry air meeting warm moist air.
Mr Britton added that there was "much less of a risk" of further tornadoes for the rest of week abut that there were still "some beefy showers" forecast which could lead to similar weather conditions.
Yesterday, the Met Office issued severe weather warning for four areas in the south-east of England. The weather warnings are no longer in place.