It's still very mild circa 16C

I'm mildly surprised that after yesterday's reports that there are only Flood Alerts not Warnings  i.e. only lowest level; or perhaps the most intense action was quite local, not the widespread intensity needed for major flooding. Highest MetO rainfall in the SE was at Frittenden near Tonbridge, 26.8 mm, but there must have been higher totals in between the official network.

https://www.floodalerts.com/

but the map shows where the action was.

My daughter who works in the Blackfriars area says that the Fleet river was escaping from its underground course and finding its way into local basements.

Radar showing lightning just to my East and I think I just heard a rumble!  We’ve missed out on anything more than a brief shower over the past couple of weeks, so we need it.  Although given the flooding some areas have experienced, I’m careful what I wish for!

  Right on cue!  Rain just started!  

It’s stopped raining now.  No lightning but we had some very heavy bursts, you know when it’s been heavy when bits of rubbish float out of the garage!  Must get that soakaway drain rodded!  

Some interesting looking activity approaching from France. Maybe today will be the first proper thundery spell for this part of Dorset in the current flabby low scenario?

Definitely a case of look South.....

Indeed. Still on track  I see. I have a meeting in Weymouth at 10am. Will take the brolly.

Looks from the radar that there's a storm just heading towards me from the south-east as I type.

I've just read on Yahoo News that France has had some big storms - see if this link works...

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/eight-million-bottles-worth-champagne-170200949.html

Angus

Just started raining here, which is good as it stops the gardeners in the next door garden strimming which is driving me nuts. How bad does your garden have to be for it to be strimmed for 2 hours.

The thundery? rain over the Channel earlier is fizzling out as it approaches us but maybe another shot at a first proper thunderstorm of the year for here later? 

Given that a large chunk of Dorset is under an amber warning from 16.00 I'd say you definitely have a chance.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings#?date=2018-05-31

Well MetO's updated warning puts us in the Yellow for tomorrow but I'm still not giving up on seeing some flash bangs this evening as the storms from our South make it further north and the Hills 'pep them up' as they arrive over the Peak District.

Stay safe all the chasers out there, never trust flood waters!

EDIT: India/Pakistan have been hammered by storms through May ( 250 deaths so far!) and their studies into enhanced Lightening rates could not find any 'pattern' to years with enhanced rates other than if the year kicks off with high strike rates then the rest of the season will follow suit.

Seeing as we have started the year with high strike rates ( even the April 'plume' that passed over the east of the UK) I'm expecting anything that develops to follow suit and have epic strike rates....... remember how to avoid being struck please!

Mailonline falsely reporting that a Red warning has been issued

As far as I'm aware its only Amber

That's what I thought but the hyperbole seems Expressesion in its nature. Have the papers merged?

A 'toxic cocktail' whatever next?

Unless the rainfall perks ups bit and of course it might, things look pretty benign again in this part of Dorset.

Maybe tomorrow or the day after then for the first thunderstorm of the year here.

Storm, not frequent lightning and thunder but some very loud claps.

rr/hr 51.6mm

4.6 mm

Seeing photos of flooding in Haywards Heath, 21mm recorded in the hour up to 1700 at nearby Wych Cross (East Sussex)

All came to nothing here in South Dorset. Maybe tonight as the Amber warnings are still valid. Or even tomorrow?

It's a bit like forecasting snow and where it will fall.

https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/video-flash-floods-hit-haywards-heath-1-8517785

I'm in SE Gloucestershire at the moment and there's frequent T&L and intermittent tropical downpours. Even in half-light there's a very dark threatening sky to my east over Oxfordshire with frequent lightning flickering.