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The Met Office have revealed why Bristol experienced such an intense lightning bolt yesterday evening.

Most of Bristol were shocked to hear and see a very bright and intense lightning bolt which struck Bishopston, just off Gloucester Road after 9pm yesterday evening (February 16). Moments later, the sound of crashing thunder could be heard.

Geoff from Horfield described the lightning bolt looked like a fireball explosion.

Now, the Met Office has told Bristol Live why the city experienced such an intense lightning bolt yesterday evening - and why it wasn't part of a larger storm.

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What the Met Office has said

Met Office spokesman Graham Madge said: "After Storm Dennis moved through Bristol, an area of very cold air moved through after the storm.

"It travelled up from the South West towards the North and then slipped Eastwards towards Bristol, bringing a cold front area through the city.

"In Bristol, the ground temperature was very warm just after 9pm, whereas the air temperature was very cold.

"This allowed conditions for a very showery air mass to develop which led to a quick series of thunderstorm to cross the city.

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"A series of very isolated and local thunderstorms then formed because of all of these conditions.

Even though eyewitnesses have said the lightning bolt was huge, the Met Office said the lightning bolt was not much different to others which have hit in the past.

Mr Madge said: "This lightning strike was nothing more potent than a usual lightning strike.

"The lightning flash could be seen for miles around because Bristol is a very compact city.

"This just highlights the intensity of one single lightning strike.

"To sum up, this was one powerful event containing lots of energy."