Swindon and Wiltshire is at risk of experiencing a tornado today, experts have warned.

This comes days after residents in Stalybridge, Tameside experienced a tornado which damaged around 100 properties.

Now, experts at the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) have warned of a “risk of isolated tornadoes”, according to Sky News.

Severe weather was forecast from 4am today (December 30) and is expected to continue through to 6am on December 31.

Southern England, including Swindon and Wiltshire, is included in the warning, which also covers Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and the southern part of the Republic of Ireland.

Experts at TORRO warn that parts of central southern England could experience tornadoes on Saturday night.

Winds could reach 60-70 mph while hail and “isolated tornadoes” could also be experienced in these areas, according to the experts, reports Sky News.

Occasionally, cloud-to-ground lightning might also occur in these areas.

TORRO explained that “a narrow line of intense rain” and “strong wind gusts” are on their way to some areas.

They added: “There will also be a risk of isolated tornadoes”.

What is a tornado?

A tornado is a column of air that rotates rapidly and reaches between the Earth’s surface and the base of a storm cloud, according to the Met Office website.

Very unsettled weather conditions help tornadoes form as part of severe thunderstorms but many conditions are needed for them to form.

The Met Office says that when the conditions occur, “a violently whirling mass of air, known as a vortex, forms beneath the storm cloud.”

The forecaster adds: “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.

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“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.

“Tornadoes typically spin anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere (cyclonically).”