A tornado has swept through a Hampshire town, causing damage to properties and trees to fall down.
Nobody is believed to have been injured, Rushmoor Borough Council said.
The authority urged residents to call emergency services if they saw damaged trees they believed were dangerous.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters are part of a joint response at an incident in Aldershot after a number of properties and trees were damaged in strong winds.
"Crews from Rushmoor and Surrey Fire and Rescue Services were first called shortly after midday and are working closely with partner agencies to make the scene safe."
Roof tiles have been seen on roads and pavements in the area.
Senior BBC Weather presenter Alexis Green said: "The UK, on average, has close to 30 tornadoes per year, although this varies year-on-year, so they are part of our climate.
"They are rare at any one location, though.
"Today’s event was associated with the active thunderstorms in southern areas."
The tornado arrived a day after the Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning and following a week of temperatures in the south regularly exceeding 20C.
Thunder and lightning was seen across much of the region around the time the tornado was spotted.
Paul Knightley, head of the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation, confirmed it was a tornado.
He told the BBC: “The formation of tornadoes is still the subject of intensive research, and their exact mechanisms are yet to be understood.
"In a broad sense, though, pre-existing rotation in the lower atmosphere can be stretched by the strong upwards-moving air in a thunderstorm, and focussed into a tornado. This seems likely to have been what happened today.”
Tornado Damage and Impact
The tornado caused significant damage in Aldershot, with trees being brought down, roof tiles dislodged, and some buildings suffering structural damage. The Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) ranked the tornado between one and two (between mild and moderate) out of a maximum of 10 on a scale of intensity.
A moderate tornado is ranked as having wind speeds of up to 92mph, although the speeds still need to be verified.
Sarah Horton, a site investigator for TORRO, told Sky News: "The preliminary estimated path length is 2km. The tornado was weak, but we haven't given it a final rating yet. It is an estimated T1/T2 rating."
She added: "Although it was a weak tornado... for those affected, it will have been a frightening and damaging event.
"Householders will be trying to get their homes watertight before heavy rain arrives. The Met Office has a severe weather warning for heavy rain on Sunday."
Local Authorities Respond to Tornado
Rushmoor Borough Council, the local authority for Aldershot, stated that no injuries had been reported. The council urged residents to call emergency services if they saw any dangerous trees.
"This afternoon around midday there was a weather event in Cadnam Close, Aldershot, which caused damage to two blocks of flats and brought down several trees," the authority tweeted.
"Luckily no one was injured.
"Damage to property has also been reported nearby in Lower Farnham Road, Basing Drive, Andover Way, Sandown Crescent and Boxalls Lane.
"If you think a damaged tree is dangerous, please call emergency services on 999. We are now working with partner agencies to make the scene safe."
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that crews from Rushmoor and Surrey Fire and Rescue Services were called shortly after midday and are working closely with partner agencies to make the scene safe.
Community Response to Tornado
Local residents have shared their experiences of the tornado on social media. Amrita Mann, a mother of two, captured footage on her doorbell camera showing the tornado's impact. She described how her front door suddenly flew open, sending a gush of wind through her house and causing her conservatory doors to also burst open.
"It took both me and my daughter by surprise, causing her to cry. I ran to close it and could see debris flying across the pavement," she told Sky News.
"I went back to settle my daughter and the next minute I see the tree in front of my house had been struck by lightning and come down.
"It was all very scary but my neighbours were amazing and they called upon friends who got the fallen trees cleared."
A Rare Event
Tornadoes are a relatively rare occurrence in the UK, with the country experiencing an average of close to 30 tornadoes per year. However, they are considered part of the country's climate.
The tornado that struck Aldershot was associated with active thunderstorms in southern areas. According to TORRO, the tornado struck around lunchtime and was around 140m at its widest point.
A Reminder of the Power of Nature
The tornado in Aldershot serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events. It is crucial to stay informed about weather warnings and take necessary precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of your family.
