Meteorologists spotted possible tornados off the coast of the island during yesterday’s bad weather, the Bermuda Weather Service has revealed.

The news came after a severe weather warning was issued as the island faced gale force winds.

Mark Guishard, the director of the BWS, said: “Preliminary analysis of the conditions between 9am and 11am indicated there were possible tornadoes associated with some rotating thunderstorm signatures on the Doppler radar – their centres remained offshore.

“This caused BWS to issue a severe weather warning, augmenting the existing gale warning and thunderstorm advisory already in effect at that time.”

He was speaking after the island was hit by heavy rain, gale force winds and severe thunderstorms.

Dr Guishard said winds at Commissioner’s House in Dockyard hit 71mph, with gusts up to 85mph as one of the thunderstorms skirted the West End.

Sustained winds of 39mph and a gust of 57mph were observed at the airport yesterday morning.

More than an inch of rain fell across the island during the day and 0.61 inches of rain was recorded during a six-hour period at the airport.

Dr Guishard warned that more bad weather was on its way.

He said: “Following this front, temperatures are going to drop significantly and it will feel particularly cold on Wednesday and Thursday this week, with blustery northwest winds.

“Tomorrow’s high temperature is forecast to be 66F and the low 60F. For context, the long-term average high temperature for November 23 is 74°F.”

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of National Security appealed to people to remain “vigilant and prepared”.

She highlighted that the hurricane season would not finish until the end of the month.