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WATCH: Did Jersey really get hit by a TORNADO? What happens next?

WATCH: Did Jersey really get hit by a TORNADO? What happens next?

Thursday 02 November 2023

WATCH: Did Jersey really get hit by a TORNADO? What happens next?

Thursday 02 November 2023


Storm Ciarán devastated the island overnight with 'ice bomb' hailstones, gusts of more than 100mph and what forecasters suspect was a tornado – but Jersey Met says we're now over the worst of it.

The suspected tornado caused major destruction as it tracked from St Clement to the east coast, tearing tiles and whole roofs off dozens of homes – and leading to the evacuations of some.

Matt Winter, Senior Forecaster at Jersey Met, told Express this morning: "A tornado is very likely to have happened, from the damage we can see and when it happened in association with a severe thunderstorm."

However, he said the Jersey Met team were still "looking to confirm" this.

The key fear last night was that Jersey would be hit by what's known as a 'sting jet' – a rare meteorological event which caused severe damage in the Great Storm of 1987.

According to the UK Met Office, a sting jet is small area of very intense winds – often 100 mph or more – that can sometimes form in powerful systems crossing the British Isles. It forms in rapidly deepening areas of low pressure and extends down towards the ground.

This morning, by 08:30, the winds had reached their peak strength and were starting to recede.

The Met Office forecast that the wind would drop from Storm Force 10 to Strong Force 7-8 by midday.

The wind strength would further decrease to Moderate Force 3-4 by midnight this evening.

Friday is expected to be a better day, with sunny spells and occasional showers, with the wind reaching Force 6-7.

Follow Express for all the latest updates...

READ MORE...

◆ LIVE UPDATES: Islanders in A&E as Storm Ciarán batters island with near hurricane-force winds

FOCUS: What is a 'sting jet' and what damage could it do?

It gets worse... Storm Ciarán now set to bring "violent" gusts of 100mph+

ADVICE: How should I prepare my home for Storm Ciarán?

Grands Vaux residents brace as Storm Ciarán approaches

Hospital and airport set to close on Thursday

Schools to close on Thursday due to "significant" weather risks

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