A Tornado Tours The Sights Of London......

[Weather-history]

On the 22nd of October 1928, a tornado touched down in the West End of London at about 8.15pm.

The 22nd of October was an unsettled day with strong convection. Upper air temperatures from Duxford in Cambridgeshire showed lapse rates of 4.0F per 1000ft up to 17,760 ft.

The track of damage done by the whirlwind was from the area near Victoria Station to Euston passing near Piccadilly and Oxford Circuses. Damage was done on Great Marlborough Street and Carnaby Street, the Cafe Royal's windows on Regent Street were blown in, the Piccadilly Hotel was badly hit with diners covered in soot as the wind blew down the chimneys and tables swept clear and blown over. Shop windows were blown in and signs, masonry and debris rained down along parts of Oxford Street. The whirlwind lasted about 30 seconds and caused around £15,000 worth of damage. Fortunately, no one was killed despite the flying masonry, glass etc.

It was noted that along the track, that barograms reported sudden falls then rises as the storm passed by.

From the Times of 24th October 1928

[Nick F]

Fascinating report ... at least they didn't use the dreaded 'mini-tornado' that the media now use for any tornado not in the USA!