Ireland is not “immune” to tornadoes and experiences on average 10 a year, according to Met Eireann.
The freak weather event which causes widespread destruction and devastation like the one witnessed in Wexford last week are rare but not impossible.
Explaining how they formed, the national forecaster said: “Although tornadoes are rare in Ireland, they can occur when a variety of factors such as very unstable air, wind shear, and vertical motion come together.”
Read More : Man's house destroyed in freak Irish tornado that left place like 'warzone'
Met Eireann added that it is difficult to predict when a tornado will occur because they are a “small-scale phenomenon” but stressed they are “more common than you think” in this country.
While Europe as a whole experiences between 200 and 300 a year.
Met Eireann said: “We often receive e-mails or messages from members of the public inquiring about tornadoes or wondering if what they have witnessed could have been a tornado.
“In short, Ireland is not immune to tornadoes and even if they are sometimes referred to as “mini-tornadoes” they are still tornadoes.
“In fact, the term ‘mini-tornado’ came into use to distance these tornadoes from the larger ones recorded in the US and other countries.
“However, all tornadoes can be dangerous and on average there are 10 occurrences in Ireland each year.”
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