Karl83

Just got in from work and was sure I saw lightning towards the west just as I left. Just checked the radar and yes! Such a crazy weather day!!

Just saw the news about the suspension bridge. I saw the BBC highlighting something hanging or stuck on the bridge, did anyone see? Got no sound in the office on TV.

Very gusty winds out there tonight and the rain was also pretty bad. I am suprised that the Met did not issue weather warnings for the rain, but only the wind. Estofex for tomorrow is interesting btw. Storm ForecastValid: Wed 05 Feb 2014 06:00 to Thu 06 Feb 2014 06:00 UTCIssued: Tue 04 Feb 2014 20:58Forecaster: PUCIK A level 1 was issued for SW England / Wales and W France mainly for severe wind gusts and tornadoes.SYNOPSIS and DISCUSSIONSatellite loops from Tuesday reveal explosive cyclogenesis between 00 and 12 UTC over the Atlantic with the center of the low as of 20 UTC mostly detached from the main baroclinic zone and its center revealing warm secclusion from the perspective of 850 hPa temperature. Behind the occluded front, banded DMC produce isolated lightning strikes over the ocean. This airmass will advect behind the front over some areas of western Europe, with only marginal CAPE values due to the lack of abundant low level moisture and only modest mid-level lapse rates.Strong low-level flow around 850 hPa will contribute to enhanced LLS values, which should easily exceed 10 m/s. DLS should be marginal at best, perhaps apart from Southern France, where lifting jet-stream from south towards north will increase its values. Here, also the best forcing and enhanced SREH will be observed at the time of the instability build-up - around 12 UTC. Thus, we consider the region of Southern France as having the highest potential of low-topped supercells capable of isolated tornadoes / severe wind gusts. However, we can not rule out this scenario also to the north - up to SW England / Wales. Thus, relatively large Lvl 1 is introduced.

Had a peak outside and yes there is settled SNOW on the car windscreens.

Reports of some snow in Stroud. Settled on cars.

Hope that squall brings something here! Had 2 flashes and 2 rumbles of thunder here earlier which was good to see at the beginning of Jan!

Another flash and rumble. Nice surprise!

Just watching United v Swansea and saw a flash of lightning at the corner of my eye!! Long rumble of thunder too.

The wind is just incredible here. Its sounds like my office is about to take off!

Yes was on the way to pepper pot just off junction 14 at the time. Was immense rain and for a time could not see a metre infront of me. Amazing!

Wind here is very gusty. Can hear the house creaking at times.

Looks like more to come in the next few hours!

Thunder and lightning again. Nice bright flashes of purple lightning and some real nice cracks of thunder!

Thunder and Lightning here in Bristol

Turn it upside down?

Where do you get that info from NL?

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ The graphic further down the page shows lightning symbol over Bristol area around 2200. I wait in anticipation.

I wish every Autumn was this interesting!

Well I know some of you guys have had nothing this year or very little and I don't mean to rub it in but; this has to be the best year for me IMBY for at least 7 years. Granted, today I wasn't in Bristol and saw 5 or 6 flashes/strikes around Reading today but it has been a good year in my area bar today. Quite impressed that storms are happening so late in the season though. I hope there is more to come. The cold can wait until December for all I care. :-)

Was glad to time journey home quite well. You see my gps location next to Reading just as we went through the storm.

May just catch that heavy stuff moving towards m4 then. Not long left reading services so may time it right.

Unbelievable radar images. M4 is down to 40 in places. 3 flashes and a strike seen so far.

Strike of lightning whilst on m4!

Near Woking now and sky looking dark the further west we drive. Looks good on radar at the mo. Few strikes near reading.