‘Tornado’ reportedly hits Widnes in Cheshire with buildings damaged and trees uprooted

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A “mini tornado” is believed to have hit the Cheshire town of Widnes with residents complaining of damaged buildings and uprooted trees. She told The Independent: “It is perfectly plausible from this active convective weather system that it was a tornado, which also produces a number of convective hazards including strong gusts and lightning.” The tornado was reported to have developed at around midday on Wednesday at a time when a thunderstorm warning was in place for the area. “We can’t officially confirm it due to lack of imagery but as the area was within a thunderstorm warning throughout the morning we think it likely occurred around midday today,” she said. !” A third tweeted: “I’m in Warrington and my roof is damaged!” Marco Petagna, who describes himself as a senior operational meteorologist with the UK Met Office, tweeted: “Signs a mini #tornado may have hit #Widnes in Cheshire today.yesterday evening @TorroUK issued a risk of these forming.” Paul Knightley, whose Twitter bio says he is a “professional meteorologist”, wrote: “Possible #tornado in #Widnes this lunchtime - this radar grab at 1215BST shows the cell responsible - this continued along the purple line to Holmfirth - it has now become somewhat weaker.”