Moment falling tree narrowly misses passing cars during traffic

By Douglas Whitbread via SWNS

Terrifying dashcam footage shows the moment a huge tree fell just feet from passing motorists - after high winds caused carnage across Britain.

The shocking video revealed how drivers had to slam on their brakes as the roughly 45ft (14m) tall oak came crashing down during a storm yesterday (Mon 15).

Filmmaker Matt Jones was heading along Princess Road, in Manchester, when he captured the massive tree topple over and smash into the road just after noon.

Writing in a post on social media, the shocked director later said: “That was a close one”.

The footage showed how the tree collided with a van in the outside lane of the carriageway, while another car narrowly avoided a collision.

But thankfully Matt managed to hit his brakes in time to prevent any serious damage to him or his vehicle.

Met Office data shows how Manchester experienced gusts of up to 45mph yesterday before residents later witnessed thunder, lightning, heavy rain and then hail.

The wintry conditions had caused the service to issue a yellow weather warning for the whole country.

And there were even reports of a tornado hitting Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, with pictures showing damaged rooves and overturned campervans.

However, after enduring the longest period of wet weather in British history, the Met Office has now said there is some good news on the horizon for the country.

The service said by the weekend, some parts will see an uptick in temperatures as high pressure moves in from across the Atlantic.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway said: “Don’t expect a heatwave.

"Temperatures will be close, or a little above average but feeling warm in the sunshine and light winds.

“The high will also bring with it a good deal of dry weather for most of the country, although some northern and perhaps eastern areas will see a little rain at times.”