RobR

Some rumbles and heavy rain in Stoke. Think the main band is too far east though.

I'd hazard a guess it was mainly CC lightning...there was lots of flashes and strobing at points but it was silent stuff.

I felt the same. I'm not sure wether there was a slight lull in the intensity of the cells, it is hard to tell on the radar. There was a fair bit of sheet lightning but not constant and the thunder lacked the 'boom' you usually get. There was one or two and I'm glad I've experienced my first storm of the year (I kept missing ones in Stoke due to being at work), but not one of the best.

It seemed oddly calm to me. Usually in these type of storms the wind will pick up but it remained fairly still whilst it went overheard. The rain was heavy but I've seen more biblical under those 'heat of the day' cells. I think perhaps size of this has affected a larger area but the intensity wasn't what I expected.

Sorry, I should point out I'm at work close to Birmingham and the M5...right where the cells were passing virtually up the M5. We looked to be smack bang underneath but the thunder wasn't really as intense as i thought. I believe the next port of call is Stafford and Stoke....shame I'm not leaving until 9.30!

Well looks like the worst has passed here. Still very dark with rain but the lightning has gone. A fair bit of lightning but very high up, and loud thunder was at a minimum. Can't help feel a bit disappointed as it seemed to be a mega storm on approach with lots of lightning but seemed to pass overhead fairly quietly.

Hammering down now with lightning. I think the building I'm in is soundproofed as I can not hear audible thunder.

Now pitch black virtually here. There isn't much rain or thunder yet though.

Looks to be a monster heading for Black Country.

Just been outside...I can see the storm approaching with sheet lightning in the distance. Quite an eerie monster. I'm right next to the M5...so sadly I can hear cars thundering past.

Wow, that latest cell to pop up in the south Midlands is huge! Should be coming my way in Quinton shortly.

Damn, looks like a cell near my home in Stoke and I'm in Birmingham working. Always the same! Missed the last big storm as I was working in Manchester at the time :-(

Seems things are dying down now. Sure I saw some flashes to the west as I drove down M6 towards Birmingham. Wales must have enjoyed some US style storms today. Here is for more today.

A large storm in Stoke-on-Trent it seems. Gutted I'm not in the area at the moment.

The power of the wind today was something I've not experienced before....at least not inland. Having left work at 6pm...I was pretty much blown back to my car in a strong sustained wind. Once I arrived home (we live on a hill)...I could tell that the wind was much stronger. The show home signs (massive metal sign) has bent over. The wheelie bins were scattered around and wood planks that I've had sitting around. I then faced a battle just to open the car door and then fight with the bins to get them laid down in the garden. Even in our relatively sheltered garden it was just crazy. There were a few guests at around 7pm...where I genuinely thought the windows would go through. I'm glad there isn't any major problems in terms of life lost...it was a fascinating day which started so calm. It is unusual to see a storm upgraded from early tracking...so it was nice to see that happening (despite the destruction) and it was an event I'm glad I've experienced. With speeds like that inland...I dread to think how the coast was.

Gusts here are the highest I've seen all winter and the sustained wind earlier was fierce. Funny when there isn't a warning this time. The length of the gusts and wind today seem to be the problem. Not sure when they are due to die down.

I think the size of the squall line was also impressive, the way it stretched across the country in such a thin line.

The squall line that passed through around 8.30pm was very intense here in Stoke causing the delay in the Cup Match at the Britannia. I've never seen quite an intense squall like it. The rain/hail was so intense it was causing a fog like effect. The sustained winds at this point were crazy. Car alarms were going off and everyone was stood watching from there windows. It lasted maybe around 3-4 minutes maximum but it was fantastic to watch. Prior to this it had been blowy and pouring with rain. Once the squall passed, it calmed down and has stopped raining and everything is now still again. I guess the wind is over for here...not so much further north.

Massive hailstorm here in Altrincham leaving a few CM of hail. Thunder was impressive as well. Not seen anything like it. Gone dark again now.

The hype from the BBC News is pretty awful. I wish they would communicate with there own weather centre sometimes. Anyone hazard a guess at strongest gusts in North Staffordshire? Wouldn't mind something a bit breezy at least rather than calm.

More fool them. One thing I think is essential when you own a house is contents and buildings insurance. Its pretty cheap compared to car insurance too! Mine is £130 for a year. We are lucky too in the UK as someone said we have brick built houses. Even in America...with monster hurricanes...they don't have proper brick built housing and they generally survive.

Yes...I think you are right. We can see these things out much further in advance...but what difference does that make when the day comes and it diverts. We might as well not have the predications. We also shouldn't point fingers at the Met Office either. I found Jay Wynnes forecast at 10.30pm interesting as he ended with 'dangerous conditions' or something. Quite a stark message for a British forecast...more akin to the US hyped ones!

True...this is obviously different to forecast...but I think when people are aware of how accurate hurricane predications are...it makes our forecasts look poor...but that is the nature of the system which is difficult to track and pinpoint. If this was a snow event...people would be shouting right now with the 18Z output. I wasn't aware that masses of snow and cold temps don't kill people...like strong winds could. I'm not sure some of the arguments are valid...any type of weather can kill but people seem to be getting hysterical over some of us 'wishing for direct impact'.

The issue I have...is that despite modern technology we are still no clearer on the track. In the US they seem to be able to firm up on hurricanes quite well...but here it always seems to go wrong...be it snow or even rain. So essentially...going back to 87...we are in a no stronger position apart from the fact the media can hype. And yes I'd love to see a good storm...I don't want to see people hurt...but as an enthusiast this is a good as we get to a hurricane style system.

That was the one that passed over Stoke just. It was very ominous and a few flashes and some overhead thunder but not that impressive despite the size. The rain no where near as heavy as the storm yesterday either.