Tornados could form across parts of Lancashire today (September 6) as stormy weather hits parts of the UK.
The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) has issued a ‘convective discussion’ warning which affects East Lancashire along with parts of the North along with the Midlands, Wales, South and East England.
TORRO say “isolated brief tornados” could be possible in these areas along with heavy rain, hail and lightning.
The warning is in place until Wednesday, September 7, at 4am.
Several Lancashire areas are currently covered by the warning including Rossendale, Blackburn with Darwen, Chorley and West Lancashire.
A spokesperson for Torro said: “It’s a messy picture for Tuesday.
"The lack of a real focus of activity means a ‘convective discussion’ is more appropriate than a thunderstorm or tornado watch.”
They said the storm “has the chance of producing one or two brief tornadoes, especially for the southern half of the area.
“Lightning/marginally severe hail are potential hazards too. Brief heavy rain is likely too.”
The Met Office has predicted thunderstorms across parts of East Lancashire this week.
At the time of writing (September 6) they are expected to hit Blackburn with Darwen on Wednesday afternoon (September 7).
The rest of the week will be unsettled with cloudy skies and light rain in the forecast.
What is a tornado and should we be worried about them in the UK?
According to the Met Office, 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.
Around 30 tornadoes a year are reported in the UK. These are typically small and short-lived, but can cause structural damage if they pass over built-up areas.
- READ MORE: 'Tornado' forming near Pendle Hill caught on video
Back in July Craig Bill Ramell, from Accrington, captured a few photos as well as a video of the twister shaped cloud during the scenic walk with his friend.
Did you spot a tornado in Lancashire? Email photos and videos to: sarah.mcgee@newsquest.co.uk
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