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17 July 2011 - Storm/convective Forecast, Discussion And Reports

Jane Louise

By Jane Louise
in Storms & Severe Weather

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Lauren Veteran

Lauren

Posted
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
  • Weather Preferences: Hot summers, snowy winters and thunderstorms!
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
Posted

Most cloud to ground lightning strikes originate in the base of the cloud, which is negatively charged. The intense negative charge within the base of the cloud, induces a positive charge on the ground. (The ground is neutral, however when you pass something near it which is heavily charged, in this case negatively, it repels all negatively charged particles within the ground and attracts positively charged particles - now, the surface of the ground is positively charged). When the charge built is too big for the air to insulate anymore, there is a discharge of energy in the form of a lightning bolt. The resistance overcome between the lowest part of the cloud and the ground is huge, but fairly standard.

Take the same process, and reverse it. This time, the positively charged TOP of the cloud induces a negative charge on the ground...if you consider the much greater distance (and therefore air in between, insulating the build up of charge) between the top of the cloud and the ground (sometimes over 40,000ft) you get an idea of the massive jump in energy (voltage, current, overall energy) we are talking about. Positive charged bolts normally happen, for the observer, either before a storm (as it's arriving and you're under the positively charged anvil), leaving (again, as the anvil overhangs) or throughout a storm if you're on the periphery of the storm and under the anvil. It is these bolts which are also known as 'bolts from the blue' as it can be sunny, warm, completely dry and then the most almightly bang of the thunder....it is then you look up and see an anvil overhead and probably and black sky towards the horizon.

So basically a positive strike is extremely bright and loud?

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Lauren Veteran

Lauren

Posted
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
  • Weather Preferences: Hot summers, snowy winters and thunderstorms!
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
Posted

Looks very mean on radar Nick :D

Currently on a track for me, but with the swirling influence of the low and pulsating nature, it could be a floating anvil by the time it gets near here.

Still, some pokey deluges still in the vicinity of here :drinks:

What could we expect when it hits us?

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Lauren Veteran

Lauren

Posted
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
  • Weather Preferences: Hot summers, snowy winters and thunderstorms!
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
Posted

Some serious looking clouds heading this way.

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loopydreamer Contributor

loopydreamer

Posted
  • Location: Hughenden Valley, Buckinghamshire.
  • Location: Hughenden Valley, Buckinghamshire.
Posted

What could we expect when it hits us?

hmmm! well im keeping my eyes fixed closely on the radar! getting darker again here now and amazing cloud formation!! :)

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Norfolk Sheep Seasoned

Norfolk Sheep

Posted
  • Location: Garvestone, Norfolk
  • Weather Preferences: Sunshine. And storms
  • Location: Garvestone, Norfolk
Posted

Oh my! Just had our 3rd TS of the YEAR!!!!!!!!!!! Let the celebrations begin - one glass of wine for every rumble of thunder.....that's 3 glasses then.....drinks.gif

Yesterday's rain was more impressive :D

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Paul Sherman Veteran

Paul Sherman

Posted
  • Location: Leigh On Sea - Essex & Tornado Alley
  • Location: Leigh On Sea - Essex & Tornado Alley
Posted

Big Cg and crashing thunder in Leigh On Sea - Literally just got back from Weekend away in Hastings and stepped out of the car and Bam! :hi:

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Lauren Veteran

Lauren

Posted
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
  • Weather Preferences: Hot summers, snowy winters and thunderstorms!
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
Posted

hmmm! well im keeping my eyes fixed closely on the radar! getting darker again here now and amazing cloud formation!! :)

I know, I've been taking pictures!

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Wet'n'Dry Enthusiast

Wet'n'Dry

Posted
  • Location: Basildon
  • Weather Preferences: Thunderstorms
  • Location: Basildon
Posted

Big Cg and crashing thunder in Leigh On Sea - Literally just got back from Weekend away in Hastings and stepped out of the car and Bam! :hi:

You lucky sod, nothing here in Bas Vegas :wallbash:

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loopydreamer Contributor

loopydreamer

Posted
  • Location: Hughenden Valley, Buckinghamshire.
  • Location: Hughenden Valley, Buckinghamshire.
Posted

Big Cg and crashing thunder in Leigh On Sea - Literally just got back from Weekend away in Hastings and stepped out of the car and Bam! :hi:

yay! thats a fantastic home welcoming! :)

omg! it is black! its coming our way harry!

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tomp456 Seasoned

tomp456

Posted
  • Location: Worthing, West Sussex
  • Weather Preferences: Anything unusual
  • Location: Worthing, West Sussex
Posted

apparently thunder in Brighton?

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Lauren Veteran

Lauren

Posted
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
  • Weather Preferences: Hot summers, snowy winters and thunderstorms!
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
Posted

Dammit. it didn't electrify over me, think give it another 15 and it will.

Uploading pictures as we speak of the fantastic clouds.

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UKVoodoo Newbie

UKVoodoo

Posted
  • Location: Selby 15 miles south of York
  • Location: Selby 15 miles south of York
Posted

So that's 4 of us cruelly deprived souls then...anymore?

1 instance of rain this storm season and plenty of wheelie bin sounds but thats closest ive got to a storm or rumble so count me in too

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Mesoscale Rising Star

Mesoscale

Posted
  • Location: Watford, Hertfordshire, 68.7m ASL
  • Weather Preferences: Humid Continental Climate (Dfa / Dfb)
  • Location: Watford, Hertfordshire, 68.7m ASL
Posted

Can see central London disappearing beneath the storm which has passed away from here now. Stopped the aeroplanes from landing for about 5 mins, but they are coming into land again from the east. Brightening up now.

I saw it south of me but I didn't hear any thunder from it unfortunatley.

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Lauren Veteran

Lauren

Posted
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
  • Weather Preferences: Hot summers, snowy winters and thunderstorms!
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
Posted

Got all excited that something big was coming as we lost our SKY, but nothing came of it.

Oh well, here are some ominous looking clouds.

post-15135-0-37314800-1310912702_thumb.j

post-15135-0-80120300-1310912715_thumb.j

post-15135-0-79164800-1310912727_thumb.j

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Harry Accomplished

Harry

Posted
  • Location: Bexley (home), C London (work)
  • Weather Preferences: Thunderstorms
  • Location: Bexley (home), C London (work)
Posted (edited)

So basically a positive strike is extremely bright and loud?

Yes indeed - most sources say they are up to 10 times more powerful than normal, negative strikes!! Very dangerous indeed!

And yes I completely agree with Nick - have a slightly brighter interlude at the moment and the skyscapes are really quite impressive :D

Edited by Harry
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loopydreamer Contributor

loopydreamer

Posted
  • Location: Hughenden Valley, Buckinghamshire.
  • Location: Hughenden Valley, Buckinghamshire.
Posted

Dammit. it didn't electrify over me, think give it another 15 and it will.

Uploading pictures as we speak of the fantastic clouds.

gahhh! no thunder! BOOOO!!

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Dom W Apprentice

Dom W

Posted
  • Location: Pity Me, Durham
  • Weather Preferences: Lightning, Thunder, Snow, Thundersnow, Hail, Sunshine, Rainbows
  • Location: Pity Me, Durham
Posted

Had a really heavy shower pass over Shotton, I got soaked. Looks really dark over Teeside way. What is the situation over the North East? Shower was not thundery but may end up thundery as it develops.

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UKVoodoo Newbie

UKVoodoo

Posted
  • Location: Selby 15 miles south of York
  • Location: Selby 15 miles south of York
Posted

Could this be a 2nd let down here in 2 days i wonder :nonono:

Spare a thought for us who have only just finally seen some rain this storm season, atleast you've enjoyed a storm or two

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Alex95 Contributor

Alex95

Posted
  • Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Weather Preferences: Thunderstorms and heat, North Sea snow
  • Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Posted (edited)

Brightening up now. Looking at the radar its over now, everything is moving SE. Still, 1 flash, 1 rumble and 3 terrific downpours.

Apparently the Tyne and Wear Metro is off between the Airport and South Gosforth due to flooding?

Edited by alza
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loopydreamer Contributor

loopydreamer

Posted
  • Location: Hughenden Valley, Buckinghamshire.
  • Location: Hughenden Valley, Buckinghamshire.
Posted

Got all excited that something big was coming as we lost our SKY, but nothing came of it.

Oh well, here are some ominous looking clouds.

wow! nice!!! i have been peeking through the window watching these clouds for the last few hours!! Amazing!!

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Harry Accomplished

Harry

Posted
  • Location: Bexley (home), C London (work)
  • Weather Preferences: Thunderstorms
  • Location: Bexley (home), C London (work)
Posted (edited)

Got all excited that something big was coming as we lost our SKY, but nothing came of it.

Oh well, here are some ominous looking clouds.

Looking towards the W/NW the skies are full of convection and some pretty mean looking clouds!

Hopefully an interesting couple of hours on the way :D

Edited by Harry
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Mesoscale Rising Star

Mesoscale

Posted
  • Location: Watford, Hertfordshire, 68.7m ASL
  • Weather Preferences: Humid Continental Climate (Dfa / Dfb)
  • Location: Watford, Hertfordshire, 68.7m ASL
Posted

just looking at the radar and west of london now there are no showers? :cc_confused:

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