An incredible phenomenon was witnessed ahead of a storm which lashed Dorset bringing thunder and lightning and flash flooding.

A shelf cloud formation was seen before the heavens opened and the sky was lit up by multiple flashes of lightning.

There have been reports of flash flooding in places as drains were overwhelmed by torrential rain which battered the area in a short period.

It came as the Met Office issued a warning for thunderstorms.

The Met Office describes the shelf cloud, or arcus cloud, as 'spectacular low-level, long and thin clouds associated with powerful thunderstorms'.

 

Dorset Echo:
Picture: Andy Lambert

 

Dorset Echo:

Paul Holmes who saw it from Ferrybridge, Weymouth, (pictured above) said: "I've seen them in America but never in the UK. It formed right on the leading edge of the thunderstorm as it pushed through, an incredible sight."

Fiona Lawrence who was out on Weymouth seafront said: "I walked up and it was calm and eerie, then I saw the cloud drop down and then the wind really started to pick up massively.

"It ended up being torrential for a good 15 minutes with lots of lightning and very loud thunder."

 

Dorset Echo:

Picture: Joshua Hargreaves