UK weather: ‘Tornado’ spotted as Met Office warns 75mph winds to blast Brits tonight as they ring in the New Year

THE Met Office has warned 75mph winds and heavy rain will blast Brits tonight as they ring in the New Year.

The alert comes as footage of what appeared to be a mini tornado was snapped in Devon last night - just hours after a watch was put in place.

Yellow weather warnings are now in place for parts of the country, with wind likely to sweep the south of the country and rain expected to bucket down north of Manchester.

The gales are expected to hit the entire southern coast of the country, as well as the west while the gusts sweep east.

Forecasters have warned the gales will start blowing around 10am today, until 11.59pm - as Brits welcome in 2024.

And while the gusts sweep through, rain is expected to be falling at the same time all over the country, too.

It's looking to be exceptionally wet in Blackpool, Blackburn, Bolton, and all the way up to Lancaster from 6pm until 6am tomorrow.

Two million revellers are expected to fill the country's 40,000 bars this evening.

Of that, more than 100,000 people are likely to swarm central London for the midnight fireworks - with tens of thousands flocking to Edinburgh's Hogmanay.

But, with the Met Office yesterday placing a tornado warning over the southern parts of the UK and Ireland, many may opt to stay home.

Asda is said to have sold a bottle of bubbly every second, while selling two-million bottles of spirits.

And it comes as no surprise as the forecasters are now warning the wild winds today could cause travel chaos, as heavy showers come down with them.

It warned roads, rail, air and ferry transport are likely to be impacted, while coastlines could become dangerous with massive swells.

They've also warned high-sided vehicles take care on the roads, while electricity could be cut across the UK.

The wind warning covers from Cardigan in Wales, down to Truro and all the way across to Folkestone - with gusts likely to hit 75mph on the coasts.

Met Office has warned heavy rain will fall north of Manchester, which could see homes flooded and impact travel.

A clip has emerged of what was thought to be a mini tornado hitting the coastal town of Sidmouth last night.

Residents claimed it damaged roofs, and fencing and cut electricity.

One local, Simon West, said: "Suddenly we heard a very loud rain and an enormous creaking and cracking sound with the tree falling apart.

"All our electricity was taken out setting off our smoke alarms - it was a bit traumatic."

Richard Rogers, who lives nearby, added: "It was certainly more than a gale.

"I have seen tornadoes before and it was very much the same."

BURST RIVER BANKS & FLOODED TOWNS

Shocking photos were also snapped this morning in Kent showed a smashed up £380,000 Lamborghini Aventador.

The supercar was said to have been caught in the wild weather, and lost control on the A2 near Bluewater Shopping Centre. 

The wild weather has been battering Britain for days, with a whopping seven yellow warnings in place yesterday.

Snaps show cars submerged in floodwaters in York, with pubs and other businesses totally flooded after the River Ouse burst its banks, too.

In Worcester, the racecourse became a lake after River Severn flooded, while snow blanketed the likes of Glasgow.

Those living in the village of Mepal, in Cambridgeshire also woke up to find surrounding fields underwater this morning after the New Bedford River flooded.

Holidaymakers also felt the full effect of the wintery conditions, with major Eurostar travel disruption squashing New Year's Eve plans yesterday morning.

The company scrapped all services to and from St Pancras following flooding in tunnels near Ebbsfleet International.

The stormy conditions also sparked gridlock warnings for the M1, M25 and M4-M5 interchange in Bristol.

And, fierce winds in the South, East Anglia and Wales could also cause mayhem for flights and ferries.

Next week, the Met Office predicts more "unsettled" weather.

Forecasters said: "Remaining unsettled and often windy into the New Year with showers or longer spells of rain.

"Generally mild in the south, but temperatures around average elsewhere with overnight frosts."