Over the last few months, the UK has been battered by multiple storms from Storm Ciaran to Storm Gerrit, which was the most recent one to arrive until today (January 2).

From heavy rain to flooding and strong winds, there has been damage to properties, loss of power and severe travel disruption from roads to railways across the UK.

Over Christmas 2023, there was a “supercell thunderstorm” which moved over the northwest of England on Thursday (December 28) after a localised tornado in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester left 100 properties damaged.

Today, the Met Office declared the arrival of Storm Henk with southern England, the south Midlands and East Anglia issued with an amber weather warning for “very strong” winds.

The forecaster said: “As the low pressure moves north-eastwards the strongest wind gusts also move eastwards across the UK with many parts of southern England, the south Midlands and East Anglia experiencing 50-60mph gusts through the afternoon and evening.

“Inland gusts could reach up to 60-70mph in one or two places for a time.

“An amber severe weather warning for wind has been issued for these regions from 10am this morning through to 8pm this evening.

“A wider yellow severe weather warning for wind covers the whole of southern England and Wales.”

A further yellow warning for rain has also been put in place, covering a wide area of England and Wales as rain moves in through the day.

Rainfall totals from 5pm on Monday (January 1) to 9pm on Tuesday are likely to reach 15-30mm with 35-50mm in a few places, explains the Met Office.

Will the UK get snow this winter? 

Is there a tornado warning in the UK?

But as the “very strong" winds arrive, you might be wondering if there is a tornado risk where you are.

At the time of publication, there is currently no tornado warning in the UK, according to The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO).

Founded in 1974, TORRO is a privately-supported research body, specialising in severe convective weather in Britain and Ireland.

On the ‘recent severe weather events’ section of the TORRO website, the last confirmed tornado was recorded on December 30, 2023 at Tipton St John in Devon.

You can keep up to date on the weather forecast in your area on the Met Office and TORRO websites.