A tornado formed as storm Dana wreaked havoc in Picassent, Spain.

Footage shows the dark funnel-shaped weather phenomenon whipping through fields near a highway on October 29.

Drivers stranded in long queues of cars at a traffic jam spotted the twister.

The State Meteorological Agency has issued a red alert for the eastern region of Valencia, with areas such as Turis and Utiel recording 200 mm (7.9 inches) of rainfall.

Officials have reported at least 158 fatalities attributed to the destructive weather system, which occurs when cold and warm air converge to create rain clouds. This event is thought to be becoming more common due to climate change.

This phenomenon is referred to locally as DANA, a Spanish acronym for high-altitude isolated depression. Unlike typical storms, it can develop independently of polar or subtropical jet streams.

A tornado is a strong, spinning column of air that stretches from a thunderstorm cloud down to the ground, with the potential to cause a lot of damage. Tornadoes form when warm, moist air meets cool, dry air, which makes the air unstable and leads to intense rotation.