With a hot, steamy SE flow ahead of a northbound low, the setup was perfect for what was an incredible overnight light show across southern England, Wales and Ireland.
Ahead of the storms, it was a near perfect summers day but note the trouble brewing over Cornwall.
Yesterday’s maximums
The Biscay low tracked north out of France into southern Britain, energising and enhancing upward motion within an already unstable atmosphere. Heat and humidity acted like a flame, bubbling and boiling the atmosphere and spectacular thunderstorms are the result.
Nearly a quarter of a million lightning strikes for the UK since 8am yesterday. Wow!
Since 8am yesterday morning, the UK has seen close to a quarter of a million lightning strikes. An enormous amount of energy! #ukstorms pic.twitter.com/oVmosdUulr
— James Warner (@MetmanJames) July 19, 2017
Hit and miss #thunderstorms continue to spread northwards. Met Office warnings have been issued: https://t.co/ccjlNlayiL Ben R pic.twitter.com/T8gE0hIbIx
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) July 18, 2017
Over 100,000 lightning strikes recorded since yesterday SEng/SWales/English Channel. Here are just a few, captured by you. Stunning! pic.twitter.com/TKFKzTljYR
— BBC Weather Watchers (@BBCWthrWatchers) July 19, 2017
⚡️Incredible images from the #thunderstorms last night, further storms likely across the UK today ⚡️ more info here https://t.co/rNPERNH6qt pic.twitter.com/hWdtudNmV9
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 19, 2017
Hit and miss #thunderstorms continue to spread northwards. Met Office warnings have been issued: https://t.co/ccjlNlayiL Ben R pic.twitter.com/T8gE0hIbIx
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) July 18, 2017
Small MCS developed N of London last night.
Yep these storms have caused damage.
The persistent and stationary cell over Cornwall has led to some significant coastal damage… image credit @adamvtpowers & @Netweather pic.twitter.com/VFzxwfjnL5
— James Warner (@MetmanJames) July 18, 2017
It’s windy across Scotland with gusts ESE gusts widely 20-30 mph but a gust of 86 mph has been recorded on Cairn Gorm.
As the Biscay low merges with the Atlantic low, an eastbound cold front will help sweep out the steamy continental air replaced with fresh Atlantic.
Too warm for you at the moment? Fresher air will return from the Atlantic for the end of the week. Ben R pic.twitter.com/NXl81Sk72u
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) July 17, 2017
Before we get there, the heat, humidity and storms continue through Wednesday. It’s cooler here in Scotland but hotter in the wake of this morning’s storms over the Southeast and especially East Anglia.
⚡️Incredible images from the #thunderstorms last night, further storms likely across the UK today ⚡️ more info here https://t.co/rNPERNH6qt pic.twitter.com/hWdtudNmV9
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 19, 2017
Hot and humid, especially in some parts of eastern England today. Further torrential storms possible later – NWales/Mids/NWEng especially MT pic.twitter.com/w38pD41cdV
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) July 19, 2017
Current
The low that will clean out our atmosphere through the next 24 hours will hang around for the upcoming weekend bringing spells of wind and rain as well as sun and showers.
First half of next week looks decent with high pressure dominating for the vast majority but through the second half, low pressure nearer Scotland and Northern Ireland will present a chance of wind and rain, always that bit drier, sunnier and warmer the further south and east you are.
Looking ahead and the CFSv2 continues to show high pressure firmly in charge into August with increasing likelihood for a prolonged hot spell.
Watch this morning’s video.
AUGUST OUTLOOK SHOULD BE AVAILABLE SUNDAY!
Featured image credit: wee Photos @weePhotosEdin
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