A SPECTACULAR thunderstorm has caused chaos across Hampshire.

The county was greeted with a downpour overnight after the south coast's heatwave came to an end with a bang.

Rain began to fall at about 6.30pm on Tuesday and was so heavy that major city roads were closed due to flooding.

A second huge thunderstorm lit up the city's skies between 1am and 3am and a bolt of lightning is believed to have been the cause of a fire at a garage in Winchester.

A city school has also closed this morning after it was hit by lightning.

Readers have been sending us pictures and videos, which you can see by scrolling through the gallery above or watching the videos below.

VIDEO: Footage by Aaron McPherson, Martin Richards, Hayley Clark and Sapphire Sandhu

Southampton City Council announced that Millbrook Road was closed heading westbound out of the city, while Portsmouth Road was also flooded near the junction with the Itchen Bridge.

Scroll down to see stunning video and photos of the storm.

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As previously reported the Met Office said thundery showers are expected "to push north across southern parts of the UK through Tuesday evening, perhaps turning more widespread towards midnight.

"Although many places won't see these showers, there is a chance of localised flooding of homes, businesses and susceptible roads.

"Frequent lightning may be an additional hazard with potential disruption to power networks.

"Similarly, but very locally, hail may cause impacts."