Paul R

Getting more lightning and thunder here although it's not being picking up on Lightningmaps.org The latest ones were around 3-4 miles away. Although I was woken out of the blue by the loudest cannon fire (it's the best word I can describe it as) thunder I've heard in a long time around 10 mins ago. Again, no detection. EDIT: Ah, there we are. A couple of flashes in conjunction with some sferic detection.

Something on the go in Essex in the Chelmsford area. Anyone got eyes on it?

Just before I disappear for bit of sleep, a few more tasty offerings from tonight's display.

Yeah I'm still loitering.

It's all quietened down here. Can clearly see the Bracknell and Maidenhead cells flashing away to the north east but I think the main action is perhaps over with here. Still, managed to photograph around a dozen lightning bolts of which 3 are really nice. Really happy with the results given this was my first time trying to photograph lightning in earnest (as opposed to Ernest, our local baker, who I'm sure wouldn't be keen on having lightning photographed inside him).

Thought it was calming down but looks to be starting up again. Some very bright lightning to the north, north east and south.

These aren't quick captures, it's fairly long exposure and the lens was standard issue with the camera (an entry level EOS1200D) It's the widest angle lens I have to hand. I'm using a canon 18-55mm zoom lens which is currently in need of a good service, on manual shooting with the setup being anywhere between 30-60 second exposure, F/stop between 11 and 16, ISO 200. And of course I have a shutter release cable attached. These settings seem to work for me; that said I am happy to hear advice from others which may help improve the process. I'm just experimenting at the moment and it's the first time I've had a decent lightning photo result.

S**t. I knew there was something...

Pop in for a cup of tea if you like. I'm up, photographing lightning. Bring biscuits.

The best lightning show I've seen for over two years. This is something else.

Just been rudely woken by lots (and I mean lots) of frequent lightning to the east, maybe 4-8 miles away. Getting closer.

After a few hours of things being quiet, we've just had some rumbles of thunder, sounded like it was to the south.

It might be equipped with satnav.

Can't see any lightning as my view west is obscured by trees but can here constant rumbling from the Newbury direction. All around there is getting a right pasting at the moment. I'm surprised my tv signal reception from the Hannington transmitter hasn't been affected as there's a lot of lightning up that way at the moment. Edit: And I've just seen what's building to the south east over towards Odiham. I don't think it'll be too long before that starts putting out lightning too.

The storm has just skimmed us to the north and the main area of lightning is to the north west. Didn't get any lightning photographed as it was all out of my field of view which is a shame. Still seeing lots of mainly orange and yellow lightning and hearing deep rumbles.

Very ominous skies to the north from here. Have set the camera up (on a tripod on the windowsill, with one of the legs in the kitchen sink) to try and photograph some lightning but currently a bit too light outside. Have seen lots of scud from the base of the storm and it looks like it could be a real show. Haven't seen any lightning yet. edit: getting closer, 20 plus cc's in the last 3 mins.

I have a cracking view of the cell that's working it's way toward Reading. Hearing lots of distant deep rumbles of the thunder. Feels like the whole anvil is almost on top of us.

Got a fairly good visual of the cell in West London from here just east of Basingstoke. The back edge of the anvil looks very crisp and sturdy.

more webcam action from Great Yarmouth http://www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/visitor-info/webcam.asp

https://www.norfolklive.org/our-cameras/southwold-pier-hd/ good webcam link here from Southwold.

Don't often see values like that. I think it will be a very interesting few hours.

I can see anvils way way off in the distance to the north. The latest satellite updates don't show anything close, so I can only assume these are the cells in the east midlands, but surely that'd be too far away to see from here. Anyone else noticed the latest radar output (1720) appears to show the cell between northampton and cambridge has taken on a hook echo appearance?

It was rumbling on and off between 0130 and 0245 this morning. Had a more frequent lightshow around 0200 with some very vivid IC lightning that seemed to be fairly elevated.

Heard about four distant rumbles here in Basingstoke maybe 25-30 mins ago. Nothing since, very localised. I'm turning in for the night, busy day tomorrow. Best of luck SE storm fans.

Rumbles of thunder to the east of Basingstoke at the moment.