Step aside, Kansas!

The UK has the highest number of reported tornadoes for its land area of any country in the world, experts say.

Just last Tuesday, a mini tornado blasted through the village of Bowstreet in Ceredigion, west Wales, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to homes and other buildings and flattening trees and fences.

Dr Terence Meaden, deputy head of the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro), said about 70 tornadoes were reported across the UK in 2004 and 2005, with 40 this year.

Dr T Theodore Fujita, an American meteorologist, first recognised the UK as the top site for tornadoes in 1973, and Torro had confirmed his findings ever since, Dr Meaden said.

Full article here. Note that the British claim is for countries: I'm sure that if you selected by region (e.g., "Tornado Alley"), you'd get differing results.

Posted by David on December 10, 2006 4:38 PM