Tornado in Birmingham, UK

[b-grrrlie]

I thought these things only happen in America and Asia! :eek:

BBC news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4726643.stm)
damaged houses (http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/in_pictures_enl_1122631948/img/1.jpg)
worst tornado in 25 years (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4727107.stm)

[adam_f]

There was a tornado maybe 15 or 16 years ago in a nearby place called Evans City in the PA state. It was crazy. We were out visiting my grandparents just before they were getting ready to move to California, and I don't remember much being only 3 years old or so, but I do remember my granddad going outside and screaming 'TAKE THE FUCKING ROOF!'

We don't get many tornados around here.

[Parkey]

We get loads of tornados every year in the UK, they're just normally tiny things. I was at a music festival a few years back and a mini-twister obliterated about 20,000 tents. It was impressive to watch.

[ms.peachy]

wow, that is freaky?!

anyone here experience this? and scientists explain why or how it happened?
Same as all tornadoes, really - hot air meets cold air, updraft, creates a vortex, etc etc. There's a decent explanation in that third link b-g cited.

I think this is probably the first time since I've lived here I've heard about a tornado in an urban centre, but I've definitely seen reports of them in less populous areas now and again. Also I understand waterspouts are not unheard of either. I'm guessing the relative frequency has to do with the maritime climate butting up against whatever drifts down from the Arctic?

[Parkey]

Also I understand waterspouts are not unheard of either. I'm guessing the relative frequency has to do with the maritime climate butting up against whatever drifts down from the Arctic?
We seem to get loads of water spouts. They pop up in the channel all the time.