Best thunderstorm in about 10 years here in Reading - every single time big storms are forecast they always go west or east of here but this time (and I blame the northerly) it has intensified upon arrival.

Easily seen 200+ strikes so far, some of the loudest thunder I have ever heard and it is pouring down with rain.

I am so happy right now.  I have waited so long for this.

I hope some other people get to enjoy it :-)

Immense, slow moving, and yeilding about 6-8 strikes a minute... finally the dream storm has come!

You and me both mate, you and me both!

Did you hear that one just like in the films - the crackling before the boom, as the air is torn apart.

Truly remarkable. Loving the variety of noise on offer.

On the sombre side, a look at the radar suggests that rain totals could become serious in some parts along the spine of England.

No warning from the Met Office... come on night shift workers, what are you up to?

Well I've finally seen lightning go for a tree, but little damage apparent... though it is rather dark of course!

The rain has ceased - I'm in the gap between two lines of storm activity. The lightning show has barely paused for breath! Just had one that sounded for all the world like a giant hammering on the windows!

I know, some of that thunder was exceptional - I cannot recall louder thunder during my adult life, one of them even made me jump and swear out loud, I was that taken aback.

I did mention the possibility of thunder earlier in the forecast for my page but really was not expecting this much.

Yep - not much being detected in the second band, but plenty going on in reality!

I've still got the first one giving a show as it drifts away to the SE too. Truly spectacular 

I now have a whole hour of continuous storm footage to work with tomorrow... how long I've waited to be able to say that!

Activity to the SW seems to be on the up - that cell is building back up again 

Amazingly, still in a dry slot here after some 15 minutes, but the radar is suggesting some more torrential rain impending.

Amazing storms - Terrific lightning display and tropical rain!

Great view on Blitzortung live.

Link below.

http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en

Tropical indeed. Time to get the ark... 

As a rough estimate from radar returns, probably seen 30-40mm from this event in Reading so far.

Ironically an ad for 'Beadazzle' jewellry has decided to pop up on the thread 

The light show around here has been ongoing for about 2 hours now. Staggering!

http://expert-images.weatheronline.co.uk/daten/proficharts/en/euro4/2014/06/13/basis18/ukuk/prec/14061403_1318.gif

That's what EURO-4 makes of these storms.

At least it's in the right place!

http://expert-images.weatheronline.co.uk/daten/proficharts/en/euro4/2014/06/13/basis18/ukuk/prec/14061415_1318.gif

The latest run is a lot more keen on some development tomorrow afternoon too. Perhaps something previously unexpected has come into play?

After all, ESTOFEX didn't put out any kind of warning...  They only have a slight lightning risk for tomorrow in places too - but to the west of where EURO-4 has the convection. Probably best to just ignore ESTOFEX for now - not a lot of use in this situation it seems.

Can still see flashes to the East and N East, so you guys should have more to come I should imagine.