Weather stories

3 August 2002 at approximately 16:30 at Upper Beeding, West Sussex

Avon Spry was in her back garden with a number of dogs when she was startled, and not a little disturbed to suddenly see a brilliant white, and quite horizontal flash of lightning shoot low over the downs in the direction of Truleigh Hill (216m), where a number of radio and microwave masts are situated. The discharge was wide and of tremendous length, and seemed to come from the direction of Brighton, travelling WNW, and to then curve round to NNW. One of the dogs, a very nervous King Charles’ spaniel, was known to be absolutely terrified of thunder, and Mrs Spry quickly restrained the animal while waiting for the massive thunderclap she expected to follow. However, absolutely no audible sound from the discharge was heard despite its proximity and apparent violence.

Peter Van Doorn, 'TORRO Ball Lightning Division Report for 2002', The Journal of Meteorology, vol.28, no.278, April 2003, p.136