Windblade

Thunder every day you say? Booking my flight right now...

I think for me the fear/fascination crossover point was when I started watching the storm chase videos on early 90's tv that did it. The first time I saw a massive cone tornado (complete with surrounding storm, hail, lightning etc) stationary and just drilling into the ground and thinking "Wow, that's insane". The fear turned to fascination and curiosity from there I think which then turned into admiration for the power of nature, which then spawned my interest in storms and storm chasing (which I used to do until I sadly developed cfs, which has forced me now to become more a storm spotter so to speak - wait for them to come to me).

I did not know that! Very useful if storm chasing/spotting.

Ah man, AWESOME! I would've loved to have seen that!

Well now this is weird. I used to HATE storms when I was a kid. I was so scared of them, used to literally hide on the stairs/under the bed sheets whenever we used to get a storm. Somewhere along the way during my early teens the fear turned into fascination and I can't get enough of Storms and extreme weather now.

Been up in rural Maidstone earlier today and the sky was looking quite unstable/stormy. Can't see any storm warnings out for today however...

I don't recall this night in 2015 everyone's talking about? The one in 2018 however with the London Supercell was incredible. Funnily enough it completely missed me but I could see it from here to my north west and saw it lighting up every few seconds (no thunder heard). Then about midnight we had an incredible french import with regular green flashes as it approached which transitioned to horizonal purple forks as it came right over my house. Lasted well over a good hour and a half. What a great night and funnily enough my last proper night time storm. Haven't had another one since.

I do find it quite odd convective weather never had anything out there for today. Quite a few strikes on radar now.

Sorry to be that guy but there's no such thing as a "mini tornado" only a tornado. Did you see any rotation when it swept past? Be interesting to see if there was anything.

Some strikes confirmed on blitz... And netweather radar starting to look tasty, even for me (although not expecting anything thundery but some rain would be lovely).

I see the revolting heat is back this friday going into the weekend - I knew it wouldn't bugger off for long. I just hope we get some relief in the form of showers or if we're really lucky some good storms. I've yet to see a single fork this year. All the stuff I've seen has been ic.

Nowt here since last Tuesday, just boiling hot sun. 32c yesterday.

Beautiful.

Yes but I'm fed of up being boiling hot so it can bugger off for today!

Storm arrived at 6.45am. Not particularly potent/active but very HEAVY rain (and when I say heavy I mean monsoon style!). I'm at Crayford now and it's still going with the occasional flash and bang. Again though, it's all in cloud (seems to be a re-occurring theme this year ?). Absolutely loving the rain though and the cooler conditions. Hope it stays cool today now and that blasted sun doesn't come out. Wow!

Agreed, it's certainly got that mothership look to it. Whether it actually was one or not though...would be interesting to find out for sure as you say!

Your optimism paid off Harry. Sunday morning about 1.30am I could hear distant thunder and had a little bit of light rain for about 20 mins. Then at 4.15am we had a little storm and some more lovely rain. Wasn't a particularly active storm but a storm nonetheless. Oh my. Looks like a typical Usa style supercell!

I will go with your optimism on this one Harry!

Sounds familiar. I know others are in the same boat so trying not to moan (I did get a small storm on Monday here which cooled it down nicely but since then it's been business as usual! ) . Last year although very stormy later on at the end of summer we had three months of this desert weather starting in May and lasting til August with not one drop in between. This seems to be a re-occurring theme. I also think temperature records fell again last year and I can see that being the case again this year. Like yourself although I love storms I will very much welcome any significant rainfall to wet the ground/plants, give the wildlife a much needed drink and just cool the place down in general.

Yeah agreed it's gonna get hotter yet - I just want a bit of a reprieve! Usually we are the hottest place in the country for the longest and everywhere else seems to get loads of storms except us! We are lucky if we get 1 or 2. Last year was an exception though - we had loads of storms and thunder days, so many infact I actually lost count after 17 . I was hoping for a similar setup this year but looks like the weather round here has reverted to type (three months of hot sunny weather with nary a cloud in sight ).

Nothing stormy here for the next couple of days. Sunday MIGHT get a shower, but looking unlikely ie "not everywhere will catch one" - that always means me! I just want this disgusting heat to bugger off.

I admire your optimism!

Just finished work so can take a better pic. Right under the anvil of the Bexley storm. It's absolutely huge, pic doesn't do it justice.

Ok, just looked at radar and Snodland is brewing ANOTHER storm that will head this way again!

Looks like the core has passed us now. Still, the skies are still dark so at least we have had some respite from that sun again. Also, good news - lightningmaps now working again.