London was hit by a dramatic thunderstorm in the early hours of Saturday, with lightning strikes seen across the capital. Photos and videos posted online show the strikes hitting London, while Met Office maps indicate lightning strikes peppering the capital shortly after 4am.
Second Spectacular Storm in a Week
One video captured looking out over Albert Bridge in West London showed spectacular lightning bolts over the city. This storm comes just days after an incredible storm in London saw thousands of lightning strikes hit the capital in the early hours of Tuesday.
Heatwave Nears Its End
The storm in the early hours of Saturday comes as London braces for what is expected to be the last day of its record-breaking week-long heatwave. Temperatures are predicted to reach 32°C on Saturday, before dropping considerably on Sunday to highs of 26°C.
An amber extreme heat warning is in place until 9pm on Saturday, but the red warning for the capital has now been lifted.
Record-Breaking Heat
London saw its hottest ever June day on Friday as a blistering heatwave took temperatures to a high of 36.4°C. The temperature recorded at Heathrow beat the previous record of 35.6°C in Camden in 1957. Meanwhile, a new UK June heat record was set in Wattisham in Suffolk, which reached 37.3°C on Friday afternoon.
Impact on Daily Life
The heatwave has impacted hundreds of schools, shops, and offices in the capital, with many closing on the hottest days. It also caused disruption on the railways, with multiple train operators urging passengers not to travel.
