The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation has warned the south of England is at risk of being hit by a tornado due to the strong winds being brought by Storm Ciarán.

The Met Office has put an amber weather warning for wind in place with gusts of up to 80-90mph.

Southampton is also facing flooding as well as intense winds due to the impact of the storm.

A spokesperson from the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation said: “A very deep Atlantic low, named Storm Ciarán by the UK Met Office, will cross southern parts of the UK later tonight (Wednesday) and on Thursday.

“Very strong winds will affect parts of the south of the UK, along with the Channel Islands. These strong 'gradient winds' are handled by warnings from the Met Office and the Channel Islands Met Service.

“This outlook is concerned with the risk of one or two tornadoes from convection associated with the storm, especially on the cold front of the system.

“Modest instability will overlap with very strong low-level shear across the area, starting over the South West of England this evening, and then progressing eastwards towards East Anglia early tomorrow morning.”

“Instability will tend to decrease inland, and the northern extent of the risk is somewhat uncertain.

“The highest risk of one or two tornadoes would likely be along and south of a line from South Wales to London, but the risk cannot be ruled out a bit further north too, hence the Watch box extending into the Midlands and East Anglia.

“Very strong gusts may accompany some of the showery activity - and occasional CG lightning is possible, most likely near the south coast. Also, the strongest cells may produce some small hail.”