Cyclonic 60mph Storm Antoni to bring tornado to Britain in hours

Met Office shares week ahead weather

Forecasters are on thunderstorm watch as Storm Antoni is poised to bring fresh chaos to the UK in mere hours. A 180mph strong jet streak, as it has been called, is progressing from the south of Greenland and will hit the British Isles today, according to Netweather experts. As it hits land it will dump 60mph gusts on exposed areas of the country, bringing a Bank Holiday wash-out to many.

Nick Finnis, a forecaster from NetWeather implemented a thunderstorm warning today from 6am, which will expire at 6am tomorrow. Among his analysis, he warned of an isolated tornado hitting some areas.

He said: “An unstable cyclonic showery westerly flow will cover much of the UK and Ireland on Monday, following frontal system clearing the east by early afternoon.

“This will support heavy showers and scattered thunderstorms to develop here from surface heating creating steep lapse rates.

“Any storms may organise into clusters or convective lines parallel to the wind streams to produce isolated severe weather – namely strong convective gusts of 40 to 50mph, marginally large hail (one to 2cm), localised flash flooding and, where surface winds back ahead of troughs, an isolated tornado.

“Thunderstorms will also be possible across northern England, but less likely to produce severe weather here with weaker shear.”

His predictions have been echoed by the Met Office, which has implemented yellow weather warnings for wind, in place from tomorrow, with a particular focus on the south west and the larger western coast of Britain.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Steven Keates said: “The focus for the medium-range forecast is a low-pressure system that’s likely to develop just to the southwest of the UK, potentially bringing a period of high winds and heavy rain late on Tuesday and into Wednesday.  

“There’s a distinct possibility of some disruptive wind for parts of the UK, especially in southern and western areas, as well as potential for heavy rainfall and even some snow, though the latter probably confined to high ground in the north. 

“Although subject to a large degree of uncertainty, gusts of wind could be in excess of 60mph in some exposed upland or coastal regions, with around 35-50 mm of rain possible for some areas.”

That low pressure is likely to gradually move into the North Sea late through Thursday, though there are signals for some further rain to come later next week, the Met Office said. 

Jim Dale, senior meteorologist for British Weather Services has also said there’s a strong chance of this unsettled weather hanging around for much of this week, in what he described as a “blip” in the settled period many have experienced.

Despite Netweather being on thunderstorm watch today, the Met Office is looking further ahead to Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Its wind warnings cover the western coast of Britain until Wednesday night, when conditions are set to settle down a bit. It urges people to plan ahead for travel with likely delays to ferries and public transport. 

Runways may also suffer, with flights either delayed or cancelled. It also said power cuts may happen in some places, and that coastal communities could see some rather large waves crashing against the land.

Met Office five day forecast

With forecasters predicting a week of disruptive weather, this is what’s in store for Britain this week. 

Tuesday:

Showers are predicted for some southern areas early, but more widespread, with locally heavy rain pushing north across England, Wales and Northern Ireland by late morning. Becoming windy, with gales developing – as per the Met Office’s weather warning. 

Wednesday to Friday: 

Unsettled and often windy weather to come on Wednesday, with rain or showers for most. Showers and wind gradually easing through Thursday. Rain in the south Friday, scattered showers elsewhere. Cold.

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