A tornado warning has been issued for Bristol as thunderstorms batter the South West.
The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) issued the warning at 12.50pm today (Monday, September 5) and it will remain in place until 1am tomorrow. "Isolated tornadoes" are possible, along with large hail and gusty winds.
Other parts of the South West, like Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, are also covered by the warning, while Wales, the West Midlands and some areas of the North West may be affected too. Across the Irish Sea, there is a tornado warning in place for the Republic of Ireland and southern parts of Northern Ireland.
READ NEXT: Thunderstorms over Bristol as Met Office weather warning begins
The TORRO log said: "Rather intense vertically-stacked low is to the SW of the Republic of Ireland. A shortwave trough is moving ENE and will overspread the area this afternoon and evening. Convection has developed ahead of a more general area of showery rain, whilst other convection may develop within the showery rain.
"Shear will be sufficient for cell organisation and perhaps rotation, leading to the risk of modestly large hail and gusty winds. Additionally, one or two tornadoes cannot be ruled out, especially from pre-frontal convection."
What causes tornadoes?
A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that reaches between the base of a storm cloud and the Earth's surface. They form in very unsettled weather conditions as part of severe thunderstorms.
Many conditions need to be present for a tornado to form but, when these conditions are met, a violently whirling mass of air, known as a vortex, forms beneath the storm cloud. A funnel cloud usually develops as the vortex forms due to the reduced pressure in the vortex.
Strong inflowing winds intensify, and the spin rate increases as the vortex stretches vertically. If it continues stretching and intensifying for long enough the vortex touches the ground, at which point it becomes classified as a tornado.
The tornado then moves across the surface causing severe damage or destruction to objects in its path. A tornado typically has the form of a twisting funnel-shaped cloud between the cloud base and the ground.
Sometimes the vortex can appear as a slender rope-like form, particularly when the tornado is weakening, sometimes a tornado can be almost invisible, observable by the debris thrown up from the surface.
Thunderstorm warning
The tornado warning from TORRO comes amid a similar yellow weather warning for thunderstorms from the Met Office. They predict that the unsettled weather could bring disruption by making driving difficult, damaging power lines and even flooding some areas.
Lightning strikes may damage buildings and trains may be delayed. This warning covers South West England, the West Midlands, east Wales and some of the North West.
Five-day weather forecast for the South West
This Evening and Tonight
Heavy showers and thunderstorms will gradually clear to the north through the evening, leaving most places dry overnight with some clearer spells. Breezy, particularly at the coasts, with a few showers continuing in west Cornwall. Feeling warm and humid. Minimum temperature 13 °C.
Tuesday
Showers moving in from the south and west through the morning, some will be heavy at times with the risk of hail and thunder. Feeling a little fresher than Monday. Maximum temperature 20 °C.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday
Staying unsettled with sunshine and showers throughout. Showers potentially heavy at times with brisk winds, hail and thunder, leading to the risk of some localised flooding.
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