Tornado warning issued in UK as Storm Debi brings 160kmph winds

It’s the fourth named storm of the season.

Weather warnings are in place for large parts of the UK ahead of the arrival of Storm Debi on Monday. On Monday morning (November 13), the storm will hit northern England and parts of north Wales. The risk of flying debris and large waves means there is a possible danger to life in some areas, with the storm also potentially bringing flooding, travel delays, power cuts and even tornadoes. Storm Debi developed in Ireland, where red weather warnings were in place up until 9am on Monday. The storm is now set to sweep over the UK and weather warnings have been issued across the country.

#StormDebi will bring very strong winds and heavy rain on Monday

Here is the latest 4cast...? pic.twitter.com/BOjFryKtQL — Met Office (@metoffice) November 12, 2023

Tornado research organisation issues alert for Storm Debi

On the risk of tornadoes in particular, the UK’s Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) has issued a Severe Weather Forecast Tornado Watch alert. The organisation have said winds could reach speeds of 160kmph, with the potential for 20mm hailstones as well. A spokesperson said, via the Mirror:  “A rapidly deepening Atlantic low, named Storm Debi, will move into the RoI (Republic of Ireland) and Northern Ireland overnight. The frontal system will cross the area after midnight and through Monday morning (as well as much of the rest of the UK and RoI). “Very high winds associated with the low will affect parts of the RoI, and portions of the UK, catered for by warnings from the national weather services in both jurisdictions. “This forecast is concerned with the risk of one or two tornadoes, associated with the passage of the cold front of the system. A surge of dry mid and upper level air will overspread the front into Monday morning, associated with a pronounced upper trough. Strong lifting associated with this should cool mid-levels enough to allow convection to develop – perhaps as a strongly forced line over the RoI into SE N Ireland, and then a more broken line into Wales/N England and points east.”

TORRO Tornado Watch 2023/008 issued valid from 0000 GMT until 1200 GMT Monday 13th November 2023. #StormDebi https://t.co/tt2BEX87CM pic.twitter.com/0JpAVkSz35

— TORRO (@TorroUK) November 12, 2023

They continued: “Strong shear, both deep layer and low level, will be present, enough for a few storms to become organised, perhaps with low-topped supercells. The very high low-level shear may allow for the development of a few tornadoes. “The highest chance would appear to be in a line from SW RoI, through parts of mid/N Wales into the Midlands and eastern England, near the triple point of the system. However, the box is somewhat larger, just to cater for the chance of development elsewhere. “Additionally, strong straight-line gusts are possible too, associated with convection (as well as with the gradient flow from the storm, as mentioned above). Occasional CG lightning (cloud-to-ground lightning) is possible too. Finally, a few incidences of hail cannot be ruled out, especially with stronger cells – perhaps close to severe levels in one or two places.” The Met Office has issued amber warnings for strongs and disruptive winds for parts of Northern Ireland and north west England. Yellow weather warnings for wind are also in place from 04:00 until 18:00 for much of northern England and Wales, in areas including Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bangor and St Davids. The country has already been battered in recent weeks by Storm Ciarán, which caused flooding and disruption, and Storm Babet, which killed seven people across the UK.

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