Curious about tornadoes in the UK? Discover what they are and how often they occur each year in this friendly overview.
City: London:
Tornadoes might not be something you see every day in the UK, but they do happen. The Met Office describes a tornado as a rapidly rotating column of air that connects the ground to a storm cloud. Pretty wild, right?
These weather phenomena can vary in size and strength. Typically, they range from 20 to 100 meters wide and can last just a few minutes. But when conditions are right, they can cause some serious damage.
So, how many tornadoes do we see in the UK? On average, about 30 tornadoes are reported each year. Most of them are small and short-lived, but they can still pack a punch, especially in built-up areas.
When a tornado forms, it starts as a vortex beneath a storm cloud. If it stretches down to the ground, that’s when it officially becomes a tornado. The winds can whip up to 100 mph, and in rare cases, even more.
While tornadoes in the UK are usually not as intense as those in places like the US, they can still cause localized damage. So, it’s always good to stay informed and be weather-aware!
