Luke Best

Here you go: http://www.kiel-canal.de/webcam_hd/webcam_live.php Absolutely teeming it down and strobe lightning - haven't caught any forks yet though.

Live stream of the Brandenburg gate. Can see forks in the background right now. http://www.earthtv.com/en/camera-destination/berlin-germany/live-stream/

Some nice photos from last night's storm in Bournemouth from the local rag: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/13370923.Flash_flooding_and_spectacular_skies_as_Dorset_hit_by__megastorm_/?ref=mr&lp=1 Love that the headline screams, "Megastorm"!

Sorry if you lucked out last night Paul but your comments really are IMBY. I have never witnessed such spectacular lightning as yesterday evening's Bournemouth storm, including the 80s and 90s plume events for THIS region. What we didn't have yesterday was the back building that I've experienced in previous plume events but the lighting last night; well it was unquestionably 10/10 in Bournemouth.

Here's some video footage I took on my phone as the storm came to life over Bournemouth. My phone didn't do a great job of picking up the strobe lightning but I did manage to catch some nice forks. Plenty of booming thunder and the best forks at 1.40, 2.44, 2.53 and the closest to me on this vid at 3.03: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYvnIsgoLQQ I think that may have been the pier getting struck 2 minutes 53 seconds in.

Never experienced anything like that. Forks ciming down all around me, marble hail and torrential rain. Bingo!

Armagedden!!!!!

Blitzortung not picking up all these IC strikes. Trust me - it's gone crazy in the Channel!

CONSTANT lightning in the channel to my SW. I'm on Bournemouth clifftop.

Absolutely LOVE this - thanks for posting!

A superb, informative read - many thanks Nick.

El Plume Tomb

Thanks for that!

I'll never forget that storm. I was 8 years' old and at school and as you say all hell broke loose. Lightning everyway - struck the school playground and a house opposite the school. Just before it went crazy the teacher said, "Don't worry children, it's not going to get any closer"! What a storm! Cliffy - please could you post a link to your post about this storm - I'd love to read it. EDIT: Come to think of it, the storm I'm thinking of was 1982.

Today will be a Katie Price-esque bust. Seen it all before with this set up. Last night's extensive development has spoilt today's potential. Let me eat my words. Please!

It's very suddenly started leathering it down!

Lightning has stopped here now and thecrain has got heavier. Might call it a night.

Sporadic but BIG strikes - I can confirm.

On Bournemouth clifftop. Some lovely CGs over the sea and deeeeep rumbles. Not as elevated as 17 July last year.

Top of Portsdown Hill north of Portsmouth gives 360 degree views for miles and miles in all directions. I added this spot into My Favourites in my sat nav last summer. Whilst there are numerous places to park - the place I actually parked happened to be under an electricity pylon on the top of a big hill. Is this dangerous or are pylons earthed in such a way that the ground at the bottom doesn't get electrified if the pylon is struck?

They really do don't they?! Love days like this.

Really interesting skyline looking North of Southampton. Significant mid-to-high level convection with virga. Wish I could have got a decent shot on my phone camera. Pleasant enough in the sun but with a cool sea breeze now developed which is inhibiting even mid-level convection until you're a dozen or so miles inland). Looking forward to this evening's 'mini' plume but not sure we're likely to see a repeat of July 17th 2014!

Mods - apologies in advance. Can you turn a blind eye to this homage to the great Rob McElwee? I remember waiting for this forecast with anticipation. Netweather had been buzzing with talk of possible snow for the South Coast on the Monday after many snowless years. When I saw it was Rob McElwee doing the forecast I was sure he'd stick his neck out and make the call for Monday. Was gutted when I thought the forecast was coming to an end without any mention of Monday, but I should never have doubted the great man!!