Harry

Very warm and humid here today, though sky flat as a witches tit! Was 24C at 09:45 this morning though I suspect that may temper as the SW'erlies kick in. Not bothered looking at charts - if instability is shown, great. If not, expect any imports that come close to die on their western edge with electrical activity staying on the eastern flank...heard it here first lol

I could see the cloud top illuminations and was looking a blitzortung while it was happening...that was an awesome cell!!! I was baffled by they MetO/Beeb forecasts yesterday...it was because the UKMO model along with a few runs of the NMM, ECM and Euro4 (the majority really) were indicating this. I for one don't understand how or why as the instability was never modelled to reach the west. One of those mysteries I'm afraid - but a lesson I learned long ago. Regardless of the Beeb/Met forecasts, if there's no real instability modelled, do NOT get your hopes up!! Many many a time that disparity has occurred and many a time the storms are where you find the instability!

I'm going to defend Paul here as I know what he means. the lightning frequency from my vantage point was awesome - if I counted less than 1,000 strikes and flashes I'd be gobsmacked (could easily be more). A lot of the lightning where I was (as I was in the middle of it all) was mostly strobe (hence why my videos are likely to be unimpressive) though did see a few amazing CGs. For the UK, frequency I would rate it 9/10, really quite amazing. Thunder I'd rate 2/10 - not a single real clap or boom despite some close strikes/flashes. Rain was limited at best - a few short torrential cloud bursts but that is it - 4/10 (only for the size of the drops when it did rain), no hail, 0/10, no gusty winds, 0/10. As I say, to my mind it was more of an awesome electrical storm system rather than full on thunderstorm in the traditional plume sense. Being used to powerful MCS (of which there have been 0 since July last year despite 3 plumes now) means the adrenaline didn't go quite as wild last night. Still....I am certainly not complaining!! It will remain plastered in my memory as one of those memorable nights - 6th August 2008, 28th July 2011, 23rd/24th July 2013, 17th/18th July 2014, 3rd July 2015! Unfortunately am too young to recall the dates of mental MCS' in the 90s and early 00s. Something like 1st August 1999, a massive 4 hour MCS turned fear to fascination. That night will forever stay with me.

In my view, the storms last night were pretty awesome, but bizarre. I can't ever remember such large cluster of small cells - each cell perfectly formed and discreet in its own right, each kicking out frequent lightning. Certainly wouldn't describe it as an MCS (our traditional plume friends), was more numerous than a standard multi-cell...either way, a first for me something like that. Very much an electrical storm rather than thunderstorm, if that makes sense. Well chuffed with my forecast I posted at 2pm yesterday afternoon - might be getting a bit better with it now

The glory hunters of Europe (and the world it seems). Some images for the memory bank

Last cell just passing by to my west...give it another 10 minutes or so then off to bed....what a cracking night

Thunder seems louder this time round...distant booms

More en route Paul!! Stuff approaching me now.

Lightning again, all along the southern skyline...woohoooo!! Thunder getting louder too

You in hither green or Sussex?

Lightning getting brighter from the south and more frequent (I think)

Btw thought I'd get this in now - I am soooooooo pleased so many are enjoying this....surreal for so many corners of the country witnessing this awesomeness together

Sure I heard thunder again to my South...think something else might be brewing

Check out blitzortung - yes, that is the UK

Literally don't know where to look, surrounded by cells and still warm and humid - CF not through yet. Lightning is flashing continuously

Hard to make out visually what is lightning from the storms already passed through and what be new from the south...everything lighting up

My entire northern skyline is perpetually flickering...not quite bright enough for my camera to pick up sadly...awesome.

Oh hello...judging by the radar (unless anaprop) there might be more forming behind this mass....fingers crossed!!

Might be my lot for the night....amazing lightning, mostly strobe IC but occasional awe inspiring CGs. Little disappointed there was no earth shattering thunder, but I can go to sleep tonight a happy moosch!!! Will evaluate footage over the weekend and post some of it....might need some training using my camcorder. You people further north are in for a serious treat

Between cells now...one to my west over London is kicking out amazing bolts every 2-3 seconds now literally

Desperately hoping my new camcorder is picking this up ok...lightning is insane but the quality on the screen is a bit misty

Woooah awesome CG to my west - hope my camcorder got it!!

Easily flashing every 2 seconds or so from different directions

Ouch...that was a CG!!!

All IC here currently, Nick Enough of it though