The skies rumbled and flashed last night and into the early hours as a spectacular thunder and lightning storm hit Dorset.

Video of lightning off Portland taken with drone by Martin Harvey/Harvey M Photography 

 

As the sun went down on Friday evening there were dramatic skies ahead of the storm approaching from across the Channel - and photographers had their cameras ready as it rocked Dorset.

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Picture of last night's sky over Wyke by Julia Long

 

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Dramatic sky by Adam Johnson

 

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Red sky at West Bay by Geoffrey Beavis

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Lightning viewed from Littlemoor by Peter Bidwell

 

The thunderstorms arrived after days of high temperatures, which prompted Met Office warnings for extreme heat.

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Taken at the Spice Ship Pub, Preston by Thomas Haighton, aged 13

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Snap of last night's storm as seen from my bedroom window in Fortuneswell, Portland, by Daniel Sands 

One second of one flash of lightning at Portland Bill slowed down to ten seconds using InShot app by Des And Shirley Peadon 

 

The storm brought torrential downpours - there are warnings this rain could cause localised flooding.

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Lightning at Portland Bill by Amy Kelly

 

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Over the Cobb at Lyme Regis by Edward Nolan

 

A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms and strong winds are in place through to tonight.

 

 

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Weymouth seafront by Sasha Jojo

Did you take any pictures of the storm? We'd love to see them - email newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk