Expert warns of tornado risk in the UK

Parts of the UK are at risk of being battered by a tornado tonight, a weather expert warned today.

A band of heavy rain and strong winds will sweep eastwards across the UK overnight Julian Mayes of MeteoGroup, the Weather Division of the Press Association, said.

“Most people are going to notice some very gusty winds tonight. When the wind direction changes very quickly it can sometimes trigger a tornado, so it’s a possibility. There might be one or two,” he said.

Weather experts are unable to predict where in the UK the tornados might occur but Mr Mayes said people would notice if they experienced one.

He said: “It’s almost random where one may touch down. Each one may only cover a mile or two. We might get one and nobody even notices.

“If someone was to encounter one they would notice. There would be the sudden arrival of very strong winds which would die down after a few minutes.”

He warned that if a tornado struck it could tear tiles and slates off roofs and branches off trees, putting pedestrians and motorists at risk.

Tornados are not uncommon in the UK, with approximately 35 each year.