A tornado warning has been issued for Swindon and Wiltshire as wet weather is also due to continue this week.

“Isolated brief tornadoes” are among extreme weather forecast by the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation.

The warning area covers much of south, southeastern and eastern England and lasts from 8.26am to 7pm on September 26.

Hazards include: 

  • Isolated brief tornadoes
  • Hail
  • CG (cloud to ground) lightning
  • Gusty winds to 50mph

(Image: TORRO)

The body suggests weather conditions “could assist in the development of low-level rotation, and perhaps a brief tornado or two”.

It adds: “A shortwave trough will move NE through today. Showers and isolated thunderstorms are already present around parts of SW and S England, and these will tend to move NE through this morning, with other showers and a few thunderstorms developing inland via diurnal heating.

“The most likely area of [tornadoes] to occur is across southern counties in the depicted area, but as models are keen to develop rather widespread showers through the day, the risk is drawn in a broader sense.

“Gusty winds and CG lightning will affect some places, along with hail.”

The warning comes as a weather warning is in place for Swindon and Wiltshire as more rain is expected to hit the already sodden county.