On September 20, 2024, a rare meteorological event unfolded in the town of Aldershot, located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of London. A tornado, an uncommon occurrence in England, touched down, leaving a trail of minor destruction in its wake.
The tornado struck at midday, coinciding with a period of intense thunder and rainfall. While tornadoes in England are relatively infrequent, with an average of 30-50 reported annually, this event caught the attention of both local residents and meteorological experts.
Louise Le Poidevin, a local resident, provided a vivid account of the tornado's impact:
"The trees in the back garden were bent over and it was freaking us out. Everything was lifted off the ground, the leaves were in a big spiral going round. I thought the doors and windows would come in, the noise was terrifying, then a gazebo came flying over. Then as soon as it started, 30, 40, 50 seconds later, it had gone."
The Tornado and Storm Research Organization (TORRO), a UK-based private research group founded in 1974, assessed the event. According to their preliminary findings, the tornado traveled approximately 2 kilometers and was classified as light or mild on their intensity scale. This aligns with the fact that most tornadoes in the UK are typically weak, falling within the T0 to T3 range on the TORRO scale.
Local authorities reported that the tornado's winds caused damage to several homes and trees. Roof tiles were torn off, and numerous trees were toppled. Remarkably, despite the sudden and intense nature of the event, no injuries were reported.
This incident adds to the UK's unique tornado history. Interestingly, the UK experiences more tornadoes per area than any other country, although they are usually weak. The country's "Tornado Alley" is considered to be between London and Reading, making Aldershot's location not entirely surprising for such an event.
While this tornado was relatively mild, it serves as a reminder of the potential for extreme weather events in the region. The UK's strongest recorded tornado occurred in Portsmouth in 1810, reaching T8 on the TORRO scale, while the deadliest struck Birmingham in 1091, resulting in 30 fatalities.
As climate change continues to influence weather patterns globally, researchers are studying its potential effects on tornado frequency and intensity in the UK. Organizations like TORRO rely heavily on public reports for data, making eyewitness accounts like Le Poidevin's crucial for understanding these phenomena.
This event in Aldershot, known as the "Home of the British Army" due to its military history, will likely be remembered as an unusual occurrence in the town's recent history. It underscores the importance of weather preparedness, even in regions where such events are rare.