A tornado warning has been issued as the county is being battered by strong winds. The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro) announced the alert from 1pm until midnight today for much of the south of England, including all of Sussex. Torro has warned of potential for isolated showery rain, occasional lightning, gusty winds and isolated tornadoes.
A spokesman for Torro said: "A shortwave trough will move East North East this afternoon/evening, accompanied by areas of showery rain, some convective in nature. "One or more small-scale circulations (mesolows) may evolve, although model guidance differs somewhat on the exact morphology. Gusty winds, hail, perhaps up to 1cm diameter, and occasional CG lightning may accompany the stronger cores.
"Additionally, isolated tornadoes are possible, especially if any mesolows form. Any such mesolows would produce a more focussed risk corridor for gusty winds and occasional tornadoes." Sussex is no stranger to tornadoes, having been hit by a growing number in recent months.
Two tornadoes struck Littlehampton and Wick within weeks of each other last autumn. The warning area (Image: Torro) Tornadoes are a rapidly rotating column of air that reaches between the base of a storm cloud and the ground. They form in very unsettled weather conditions as part of severe thunderstorms.
Around 30 tornadoes a year are reported in the UK. While they are typically small and short-lived, they can cause structural damage if they pass over a built-up.