LIGHTNING flashed across Suffolk's sky today in the latest of the summer thunderstorms - but residents remained unscathed.The storm started yesterday evening and continued through the early hours of the morning with half an inch of rain falling.
LIGHTNING is battering Ipswich today as a thunderstorm hits Suffolk.
In the latest of the summer storms rain is battering the town, with regular loud rumbles of thunder and flashes of lightning.
Today's storm comes after another which started yesterday evening and continued through the early hours of the morning with half an inch of rain falling.
This morning Ken Blowers, The Evening Star's weather guru, predicted there could be more thunder today - and said the unsettled weather could be an indication for a bad summer ahead.
He said: “There could be a torrential downpour this afternoon and possibly thunder.
“It is not unusual to get thunder storms in July and August, and we will see more during the summer.
“This storm came in from the south west and affected most of the UK, but the storm wasn't as dramatic as others have been, I counted 25 flashes of lightning when before there have been 50.”
He added: “When you get changeable weather in July, as we have been, many experts believe it sets the mood for the rest of summer.
“If this happens this year it would mean it was the third poor summer in a row because 2007 and 2008 were both bad summers.”
Were you affected by the thunderstorm? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.
Staying safe during a thunderstorm
Avoid using the phone - telephone lines can conduct electricity.
Avoid using taps and sinks - metal pipes can conduct electricity.
Avoid activities such as golf, rod fishing or boating on a lake.
If outside avoid water and find a low-lying open place that is a safe distance from trees, poles or metal objects.
If you find yourself in an exposed location squat close to the ground, with hands on knees and with head tucked between them. Try to touch as little of the ground with your body as possible, do not lie down on the ground.
SOURCE: The Met Office
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