There were incredible scenes as hundreds of lightning strikes were seen across the county, with strikes recorded from Ipswich to the Suffolk coast.
While they produced some stunning images, UK Power Networks reported power cuts last night caused by faults in high voltage overhead and underground electricity wires.
Most of the cuts were short-lived, with power returned fairly quickly.
Beautiful sky over Honington in Suffolk Picture: KRISTA LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)
The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms from 3pm yesterday following a heatwave which saw the region experience some of its highest temperatures ever.
Beautiful lightning picture over the Chantry estate in Ipswich Picture: GERRY GARDINER (Image: Archant)
A somewhat cooler day is in store today following yesterday's sweltering heat.
Highs of 37.7C were recorded in Writtle near Chelmsford on Thursday - smashing the previous record temperature for Essex of 36.1C which was set at Halstead Brewery in 1932.
Olly Page took this stunning picture of the storm while coaching Felixstowe and Walton versus Brantham (Image: Archant)
In Suffolk, temperatures approached the record set in 2003 of 37.3C at Cavendish near Sudbury but ended up 1C short at 36.3C in Santon Downham, near Thetford.
Regional forecasters Weatherquest, said Friday's weather would be much cooler than the sweltering temperatures experienced in the last few days.
A spectacular bolt of lightning ove the Suffolk coast as a huge thunderstorm brought an end to the sultry conditions Picture: ANNALI CHAPMAN (Image: Archant)
Did you capture footage of the evening's storms? Email us or send us footage via Facebook.
The storms followed the hottest day this year Picture; ALEX DUKES (Image: Archant)
Forked lightning caught on camera in Ipswich Picture: @CURTISBEADLEPHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)
Norwich Road in Ipswich experiences the storms Picture: JASON COOPER (Image: Archant)
Residents in Ipswich were given a dramatic lightshow as the thunderstorm struck the region Picture: @CURTISBEADLEPHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)
Lightning arrived across Essex this evening Picture: ALEX DUKES (Image: Archant)
Lightning over Suffolk Picture: ALEX EMMA (Image: Archant)
Lightning strikes in Ravenswood in Ipswich Picture: DARREN POLLEY (Image: Archant)
Last night's thunderstorms captured on camera in Ipswich Picture: @CURTISBEADLEPHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)
Amazing picture taken over Honington Picture: KRISTA LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)
Stunning picture taken over Honington in Suffolk Picture: KRISTA LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)
Our readers have been sending in their pictures and videos of the lightning strikes last night Picture: GREG KINGSTON (Image: Archant)
Dramatic lightning picture taken yesterday evening Picture: DEBRA SAWYER (Image: Archant)
Fire crews were called out after receiving reports that two houses had been struck by lightning Picture: NELSON ANDRADE (Image: Archant)
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