Southern England's residents were woken by thunderous crashes and flashes of lightning overnight as a severe storm swept across the region, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The Met Office reported over 29,000 lightning strikes, with flash flooding causing disruption to travel and two house fires believed to be caused by lightning strikes.
The storms rolled into the south west on Monday evening and moved towards the south east during the night, following a day where temperatures soared into the high 20s and low 30s. The Met Office explained that the intense thunderstorms were triggered by a combination of heat and atmospheric conditions, with an upper-level disturbance contributing to their development.
London's residents bore the brunt of the storms, with the London Fire Brigade responding to over 400 calls overnight. A house in Bristol was also affected earlier in the evening, with a fire believed to have been caused by lightning. The extreme weather has left many communities facing disruption and damage.
The Met Office has issued a rare red alert for England's south east, warning of potential thunderstorms and temperatures of up to 40C later this week. Residents are advised to stay indoors during the storms, avoid travel if possible, and take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.
As the UK prepares for the impending heatwave, residents are urged to stay vigilant and keep an eye on local weather forecasts. The Met Office has issued a series of warnings and alerts for the coming days, with locals advised to follow the guidance of their local authorities to ensure their safety during this period.