The severe storms cleared into the North Sea early on Thursday morning, although there remains a risk of isolated thundery showers developing on Thursday.

The storms formed across France during the afternoon and steadily headed north, crossing the English Channel. They hit the south coast, dropping torrential rain, during the early evening.

Lightning strikes over blocks of flats in London, during a summer storm which lit up the sky in the early hours of the morning.

Black Rock Mountain State Park, view from the Blue Ridge look out.

The New York Times building is struck by lightning in New York June 10, 2008. REUTERS/Nic Fulton (UNITED STATES)

A rainbow greets walkers along the Lewiston Levee after an afternoon shower Monday, June 9, 2008 in Lewiston, Idaho. (AP Photo/Lewiston Tribune, Barry Kough)

Lightning streaks through the skies over the Silvi Concrete factory in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.


TOM KELLY IV / THE WEST CHESTER DAILY LOCAL NEWS / A

A huge tornado funnel cloud touches down in Orchard, Iowa, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. The Globe Gazette and Mitchell County Press News reported that Lori Mehmen of Orchard, took the photo from outside her front door. Mehmen said the funnel cloud came near the ground and then went back up into the clouds. Besides tree and crop damage, no human injuries were reported. (AP Photo/Lori Mehmen)

Samoa, CA.

Kabul, Afghanistan

Hurricane Isabel, the most deadly of 2003.

Aurora borealis from the space shuttle Atlantis.

sandstorm, Sudan

Clouds, Texas.

Rainbow clouds, NM.

Super cell storm with funnel.

Flooding, Arkansas.