London, United Kingdom – Intense lightning repeatedly illuminated the night sky above London in a dramatic display captured from a high vantage point by X user Adam Schwarz.

Bright white and blue flashes streaked through dark, heavy clouds, briefly exposing the outlines of trees, buildings, streetlights, and the distant skyline as thunder echoed across the city.

The powerful storm struck London during the early hours of June 23, 2026. At 3:45 a.m., thunderstorms had already continued for almost two straight hours.

The storm was described as one of the biggest and longest in nearly 35 years in the city.

Residents reported being awakened by continuous thunder and almost constant lightning, with nearly 3,000 strikes recorded across Greater London within two hours.

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in areas including Twickenham and Richmond. The London Fire Brigade responded to around 400 calls, including two house fires believed to have been caused by lightning.

The footage captures the raw force of the storm that left many London residents unable to sleep as lightning repeatedly lit up the sky above the city.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download