RESEARCH//EVENTS//2023-11-01

Jersey tornado

Wednesday 1st November 2023

This event is still under investigation, and details provided are currently preliminary. This page will be updated as and when further information becomes available.

MON 06 NOV 2023 TORRO Press Release is available here .

THU 23 NOV 2023 An interim report identifying key damage indicators, with a preliminary conclusion, is available here — a full Site Investigation report will be published at a later date.

TORRO, in conjunction with Jersey Met , conducted in-person site investigations on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th November 2023.

The results of the survey conclude that an intense tornado made landfall at St Clement and traversed the island, close to midnight on Wednesday night. Severe damage was found along the length of the 8km track. The tornado exited Jersey around Fliquet.

The damage on Jersey is being examined by TORRO staff, to assess the strength of the tornado. Our preliminary rating is an intensity of T6. Consulting TORRO’s records, it has been determined to be stronger than the Birmingham, UK, tornado of Wednesday 28 July 2005, (which was rated T5/6) and is likely the strongest since the Gunnersbury (West London) tornado of Wednesday 8 December 1954, which was rated T7.

TORRO keeps records of tornadoes for the UK, Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. There have only been a few tornadoes of T6 intensity and greater in the last century within the records, and this is easily the strongest on record for the Channel Islands. TORRO has a record of a tornado affecting St John, on Tuesday 15 September 1981, which was given a rating of T3.

Regarding the large hail – the last time hail of a comparable size occurred on Jersey appears to have been on Sunday 5 June 1983, when 5cm hailstones were reported.

TORRO would like to extend their sympathy to affected residents and thank them for their patience and help. We would also like to thank Jersey Met for all their help and support over the weekend.

Loders tornado

Wednesday 1st November 2023

This event is still under investigation, and details provided are currently preliminary. This page will be updated as and when further information becomes available.

TORRO are aware of reports of wind damage in Loders (Dorset), during Storm Ciarán in the late evening on Wednesday 1st November 2023.

TORRO members Matt Clark and Kay Morrison carried out a detailed Site Investigation on Saturday 11th November 2023 to assess the damage path and type of damage. While the full details are yet to be analysed, a tornado has been confirmed with a provisional rating of T2/3. A detailed written report will be provided on our events page when available.

TORRO are very grateful to members of the public for providing information on damage and eyewitness accounts, which are invaluable in helping the analysis of this event. If you have any further information, please get in touch .