2016 Greater London Tornado

The 2016 Greater London Tornado was the most destructive tornado in Europe, packing a punch of 291 mph wind speeds and causing well over £10.9 billion pound sterling or $16.4 billion USD (as of July 2016). The tornado touched down at 0612 BST and would then take a vague northwest path throughout Kent, Greater London and etc, carving a 121 mile path through southeastern England. The entire vicinity would take from several years or decades to recover.

Meteorological Synopsis / Preceding Severe Weather
16 hours before touchdown, a high risk area was issued in southern areas of Greater London, parts of slough and Northwestern Kent, due to the unstable and volatile atmosphere above the area, and a hot and cold front smashing to the area, leading to an occlusion in the West Midlands. The dew point was less than 80F and along with temperatures around reaching a maximum of 86F, which would play a massive role in forming thunderstorms.

10 hours before touchdown at 2028 BST, severe thunderstorms and supercells would begin to form in the West Midlands and areas near Luton. One severe thunderstorm located in the West Midlands would spawn the most ancestors as it grew in size rapidly. During the late night in 2337 a mesocyclone was confirmed near Milton Keynes.

2 hours before touchdown at 0356 BST, an EF4 tornado would touchdown in the town of Luton under a gantry in the M1, causing the gantry to collapse under 3 cars, killing 5. Sporadic suction vortices would spin up to 30 mph and have windspeeds up to 165 mph in a confined space. Many structures were either partially destroyed or swept away. Such as a primary shcool which was levelled by suction vortices. The RFD or rear flank downdraft produced significant damage to the town centre, including uprooted trees