TORRO issues Tornado Watch following severe weather forecast

TORRO defines a severe thunderstorm as producing one or more of the following:

• One or more tornadoes and/or waterspouts.
• Hail with diameter of at least 20mm.
• Non-tornadic winds gusting to 55 mph or more at surface (but which are not part of synoptic-scale straight-line winds of such velocities).

Potential hazards include: “Isolated tornadoes, wind gusts to 60mph, CG lightning and hail to a 20-25mm diameter.”

READ MORE: Travel updates as Met Office wind warning in place

A TORRO spokesperson said: “Showers and thunderstorms are moving into South West England now, with one or two incidences of cell-splitting noted on the radar, there is a suggestion that supercell structures are possible.

“Through the remainder of today, these showers and thunderstorms, with lines/clusters are possible, along with the chance of supercell structures.

“Lines and clusters should bring strong wind gusts, perhaps to 60mph.

“Additionally, low-level shear, locally with 0-1km SREH of around 200 J/Kg could support low-level mesocyclones which may spawn a few tornadoes, especially across the southern half of the country.

“Any supercell structures could enhance the risk of a stronger tornado although, of course, the overall risk to any one location is small.

“Indeed, it is worth noting that most of the watch area will not see severe weather, but some incidences are possible.”

Thunder and lightning was also spotted across Dorset this morning.

Weather enthusiast Bournemouth and Poole Weather said: “There will be a line of lively thundery showers moving in from the west in the next hour or so.

“Squally, heavy rain and lightning and thunder is possible.

“Keep an eye out for any rotating clouds, brief funnels clouds or tornadoes could be possible.

“It’s a very small possibility, however the lower atmosphere is currently highly unstable and a brief spin up tornado like those that affected Barton and Marwell last Sunday can’t be ruled out.”