
The United Kingdom was rocked by a burst of severe thunderstorms over the weekend, delivering intense rainfall, flash flooding, and more than 100,000 lightning strikes—one of the most electrically active storm events of 2025 so far.
Lightning on an Unprecedented Scale
- Over 100,000 lightning strikes were recorded in just over 24 hours, primarily across the UK’s coastal and offshore areas, according to the Met Office
- UK-wide networks confirmed that the vast majority of these strikes were over the sea, but some discharged over land, causing fires such as one in St Leonards-on-Sea
Torrential Rain & Flash Flooding
- Some regions recorded 30–80 mm of rainfall in just hours, leading to widespread flooding across Scotland, South West England, and the Midlands .
- Urban centers such as Kent, Dover, and Plymouth saw waterlogged roads and inundated properties, and Exeter–Okehampton rail services were interrupted by a landslip
Warnings, Disruptions & Public Safety
- The Met Office issued multiple thunderstorm warnings—including amber and yellow alerts—across England, Wales, and Scotland
- Rail services were disrupted, flights delayed (especially at Heathrow), and road travel hampered by deep floodwaters. Emergency and utility services responded to power cuts, “spray” affecting visibility, and hail damage .
Health & Infrastructure Impacts
- The Health Security Agency issued its first heat-health alert of the year, as the country transitioned from a record June heatwave—29.4°C in Suffolk—to this violent storm outbreak
- Authorities emphasized the danger of driving through floodwaters, citing that just 30 cm of flowing water can displace a vehicle and urged the public to avoid flooded routes
STORMS CAME FROM NORMANDY…

Illustration picture: https://x.com/davebucca/status/1933822168649072883/photo/1