Supacell

Unfortunately it looks like just lots of heavy showers again with no real breaks in the cloud. We had a few breaks here earlier but they lasted no more than 5 minutes before the cloud rolled back in again. Disappointing, I was hoping for more today.

BBC and Met Office seem keen to break out heavy showers (possible storms) over Lincolnshire and then moving across the N Midlands.

I may be talking rubbish here but I agree that the amount of moisture in the air could be to blame. It meant almost constant cloud cover. Any breaks were quickly filled in by more cloud. The heavy rainfall also cools the land and cold downdrafts can shut down the updrafts if there is no shear in place to split the two apart. Essentially what we had yesterday was a weather front and moisture saturated air producing a rain making machine that just keeps on going, producing large rainfall totals but at the same time scuppers thunderstorm chances. In these situations you can sometimes still get isolated lightning but it tends to be a rain mass punctuated by the odd sferic. I am hopeful that some brightness today may allow something a bit more thundery too form. GFS seem to agree with this hence the larger CAPE values being shown in comparison to yesterday. William, your area looks good for tomorrow too.

An interesting line of showers just popped up to my east. No sferics though unfortunately.

I wonder if there will be any storms this far north. Cloudy, gloomy and very wet today but tomorrow looks more promising I think.

With regards to my ex I would have needed some of this too I am not sure if anyone is there to report back but some webcams around Cornwall can be found here: http://www.camsecure.co.uk/Penzance_Webcam.html

Ha ha, thank you so much for that AJ In all seriousness though, some great pictures and does show a bit of how fierce that storm was. I am liking the look of the forecasts from Convective Weather UK, as I thought Wednesday holds some interest for me. My local forecast also said that rain moving in tonight could be quite thundery ..... fingers crossed.

Someone mentioned earlier the storm of 9th May 2011. I remember that one well. I could see there was some good potential around the West Midlands and was planning to chase only for my then girlfriend to throw a strop at me "putting chasing storms over her". Feeling guilty I decided I could afford to sit that one out and spend the evening with her instead, how I regretted that decision . Five years on, and several storms later I still feel a little jab in the ribs every time I think about it Looking at tonight and tomorrow. It looks as if the forecast is universally calling for anything that does develop further south to break up and disintegrate as it reaches Derby. However, temperatures today have been up around 25c for the second day running. It would be nice for something to develop here and elsewhere. Tomorrow looks more favourable for southern areas as cloud amounts will likely scupper any chances here. The south could well see some homegrown storms tomorrow afternoon/evening. I am also interested in Wednesday as any breaks to the south of the front/rain band could well promote some decent pulse type thunderstorms.

Any cloud developments earlier have now ceased and skies are clear once more. As W09 says, the synoptic for thunderstorm development is not there today for most parts. There is a lot of energy being held up there but nothing to release it. Ireland looking good though currently and some heavy showers into central Wales which could turn thundery. Next week offers some possibilities with warm air in place and low pressure over Biscay sending bands of moisture into the mix but its a complicated set up as cloud amounts could scupper opportunities. Get some good sunny spells though and rising temperatures could get a few thunderstorms going.

A few pictures of the storm remnants that made their way to my neck of the woods yesterday Some clouds are now building to my east although not attaining any real height. I think it is not far from going bang. Temperatures currently 25c here, another degree and the cap may break.

A "so-so" day in Derby. The Leicester storm was clearly passing to the east of the city so I took a drive out. Unfortunately the storm was dying by the time it reached me but I did get a few flashes and rumbles before it did. I then headed back to Derby and caught a few rumbles among the next set of showers/storms before driving westwards to hopefully catch the cells moving northwest out of Brum....which subsequently died too. I can't complain, I got a storm but it could have been better IMO. Well done to those that got the humdingers

Brief heavy shower here with huge raindrops. Looks like I should still be watching the Leicester cell

It is raining here now but not T+L. It looks like the cell over Leicester has died too

My fingers are crossed. I normally go out and chase the storms but it is a rarity to see one bearing down directly on my house

Storm cell south of Leicester is still producing and heading in the direction of Derby. I am hoping it does not die out just before it gets here. Storms from the NW normally get killed by the Pennines, I am hoping that a storm from the opposite direction stands more chance. Skies are a milky/grey colour here now.

Ooh lightning around Northampton and Milton Keynes

And just as you say that, 2 strikes south of Banbury

I am hoping they do turn thundery as they on direct course for here. I am all set to head out and chase but would much rather if they can come to me. Current view outside is clear blue skies with very little cloud to speak of.

Some showers look to be breaking out between St.Albans and Milton Keynes. Could this be the start of it?

Euro4 is much further west than the NMM with the heaviest precipitation. I think if you are anywhere in the Midlands, NW England, Pennines or Wales it is another radar watching day if you want to track, chase or avoid today's possible thunderstorms.

Nice post Costa, I am pretty much in agreement with that. It is going to come down to looking at the charts and skies tomorrow I feel. It looks like a case of low risk in any one spot but if a storm can break out then it could be quite intense. As you say the best areas look to be Midlands, NW England, N Wales and areas around the Peak District and Pennines.

New Met Office warnings out for the central portion of the UK with more emphasis on intense thunderstorms but also highlighting the low probability: "Whilst the majority of places within this warning area will see a dry and very warm Saturday with a good deal of hazy sunshine there is a very low likelihood of isolated intense thunderstorms developing during the afternoon and evening. Please be aware that if these occur they are likely to be associated with torrential downpours as well as frequent lightning and hail leading to disruption to travel, outdoor activities and potentially flooding or temporary power disruption. Some very localised strong and gusty winds are also possible." http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/

It is too soon to make a sound judgement yet but on current models I am in agreement with you regarding Saturday. GFS seems to have the main risk being around Derby/Stoke and northwestwards. The risk of storms carries on through Sunday and well into next week too. I live not far from the A50 so it would be a good route for me to chase on if models stay the same.

I have an eye on the weekend and if things turn out favorable at a time I am free then I may head out for a chase. At this range I am not getting too excited but I cannot deny the potential is there.

Drove through that line of heavy showers as they passed between Heanor and Derby. No thunder but plenty of hail and sleet then snow which had provided a slight covering in places. Temperatures fell from 6c to 0c as I drove under the shower! Some nice looking photogenic clouds and also a rainbow. Classic April weather.