THERE were dramatic scenes across Dorset Friday night when thunder and lightning illuminated the skies.

The storm hit the county around 3am and heavy rain battered the county as thunder roared and forked lightning flashed across the sky.

Residents from Bournemouth across to Poole, Ferndown and Wimborne all reported seeing huge storm clouds roll in, where just hours earlier there had been blue skies and soaring temperatures.

It reached highs of 25 degrees in Dorset - making it one of the hottest days of the year so far.

And while the temperatures are expect to remain high over the weekend more thunderstorms and heavy rain are also expected.

The Met office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain from 12pm on Sunday until 4pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

Here are a few pictures and videos from Echo readers of last night’s storm:

Aimee Berry sent these to us on Facebook

Bournemouth Echo:

Bournemouth Echo:

Roy Wallhead emailed these pictures from Wimborne

Bournemouth Echo:

Bournemouth Echo:

Bournemouth Echo:

Jack Lodge sent in some pictures of the storm cloud passing Corfe Hills

Bournemouth Echo:

Bournemouth Echo:

Gabriel Bush sent in this picture

Bournemouth Echo:

Some of our Echo Camera Club members also sent in pictures of the storm.

Nick Lucas pictured lightning at Ashley Heath

Bournemouth Echo:

Fae Hewitt sent in pictures of the storm rolling in

Bournemouth Echo:

Bournemouth Echo:

Louise Ward took these photos on her phone

Bournemouth Echo:

Bournemouth Echo:

And Paul Dimarco‎ took this picture of the calm before the storm at Lulworth Bay

Bournemouth Echo:

We also had lots of pictures and videos tweeted in...


Please send your pictures of the storm to newsdesk@bournemouthecho.co.uk.