Calamity James

Couple of distant rumbles in TW and just heard one slightly louder one. GF reporting frequent loud thunder on the Isle of Sheppey, can see the clouds on the weather cam: http://www.iossc.org.uk/weather/index.php?n=4

That does make more sense, we're all underground cables down here. Having said that, I've had to rip the power cable out of plenty of PCs and I very rarely encounter data loss, usually only if data in the delayed write cache hasn't been written yet. If you do experience that many power cuts it might be prudent to invest in a cheap UPS.

I'd like to see proof of it, if so it will be VERY rare cases that this actually happens. At best it will cut the power with a possibility of data loss. An abrupt shutdown very rarely affects hardware, it used to be more of a problem in the early days when the heads of the hard drive needed to be told to park before a shut down. Most modern PC power supplies can handle voltages from 100-250v. I've worked in IT for 8 years and the only times I've ever seen PCs damaged by lightning strikes is when they have had a modem plugged into the phoneline (either because they never bothered removing it when they got broadband or because they send faxes from their PCs). Windows will also have nothing to do with it, Apples/Linux PCs don't have some magic anti surge software installed! Anyway, back on topic, still nothing in Tunbridge Wells, although it is feeling noticeably cooler with increased cloud cover. James.

Still puzzles me to this day why people log off when there's lightning about, this isn't 1998, your PC isn't connected directly to the phone line via a 56k modem! If you have Freeview or analogue TV it'd probably be more prudent to unplug your TVs aerial as it's at much more risk than your PC! The only excuse for logging off when lightning is about is to go out and witness it!

Seem to be getting lightning everywhere but Kent in the SE now, come on! lol

lol, at least you have a choice, I'm stuck in TW until 5.30!

I'm in Tunbridge Wells and I haven't heard anything yet, still sunny here but it looks interesting on Blitzortung! Edit: Ah, you changed to Stansted

Amen to that!

Haha, I always end up glued here every summer

Looking at all the clouds from Sheppey with hope, any chance if there is a storm it'll skirt the island? If not I guess I'll have to watch the Estury, had too many beers to drive (Beer garden + 31.7C = no contest!)

Been snowing for about 2-3 hours in Maidstone, varying degrees of intensity, although quite big flakes!

That's exactly what i'm hoping to not have to do if it does get us

Very loud thunderclap in Maidstone just now, the lightning was so bright I saw it through my shut metal blinds with the lights on!Was sure I was seeing flashes earlier on in the night too!

The joys of the Medway Valley eh? The only reason I can see anything is because I'm on the top floor of our flats, light pollution from Lockmeadow doesn't help though! I thought that's where your shots would've come from Paul, glad they got to you at least

Seems to have surrounded me! My parents on Sheppey say it's kicking off over there now! <_<

That's what I was hoping, it kinda skirted around Maidstone!! <_<

Couple of huge CGs overhead in Tunbridge Wells with the thunder following mere seconds after! To think I spent hours chasing on Thursday night and this one's parked itself right on top of me!

That was a bit of a disappointment! Heading back from Margate, gonna throw in the towel, knackered now! lol

Awesome, thanks for that! We're on our way! I'll try and follow those directions. Don't suppose you could post a Google map of it?

Currently heading along the M2 towards Margate with Lightning Ed hoping to catch a glimpse of the second wave on it's way. We've got Margate up in front of us and flashes to the right so fingers crossed we'll converge with them there! Anyone know any good viewpoints in Margate?

Watching it from both Warlingham and North Kent, can both see the same storm over the troposphere (on the phone to Lightning Ed right now). Tempted to go out and follow it! Any tips on where to be?

Guess I'm lucky I'm at work then, every time I'm at home I tend to miss out on the thunderstorms! Why does Maidstone get avoided so much?!

Rumbles of thunder in Tunbridge Wells and dark clouds approaching...

Agreed, Maidstone is getting one heck of a battering right now, it's amazing! Caught one on my phone... http://vids.micra.org.uk/view/34/lightning-strike/

Few strikes of lightning off the Isle of Sheppey in the Thames Estury, seems to be coming in from the East... Update: Becoming quite a bit more frequent now...