Flights diverted after terrifying lightning storms seen ripping through the sky

Planes have been diverted from London's Gatwick Airport amid reports on social media of terrifying thunderstorms in the south.

Gatwick Airport's website showed that a British Airways and Vueling flight from Arrecife, Lanzarote due at 11.20pm was diverted.

An easyJet flight from Sharm El Sheikh due at 12.05am has also been diverted, says the airport.

Many other planes are down as delayed with estimated times of arrival.

The Met Office has a yellow warning for thunderstorms in place which has been running through Wednesday evening and remains until 3am.

People have been posting pics and videos of stunning thunderstorms in the area around Gatwick after another hot and humid day.

There are reports that planes have been diverted to Stansted Airport (Met Office)

Authorities are yet to comment on the cause of the diversions and delays.

Many on social media have said planes are being diverted from Gatwick to nearby airports.

"Sitting in Stansted airport on a plane diverted from Gatwick because of the storm," one person tweeted.

"We are not allowed off and have to wait to fly back to Gatwick. One passenger allowed off as she has a sick child back home."

Another wrote: "Lots of aircraft diverting tonight due to the storm affecting Gatwick I’ve seen flights going into Bristol, Cardiff and Stansted. #storm #Gatwick."

One more said: "Busy night for ATC. Storm is right over Gatwick."

Many planes due to arrive at Gatwick Airport have also been delayed (Luke Peters/Twitter)

Similarly, another commented: "This lightening storm at Gatwick right now is WILD."

One person wrote: "Watching the planes for the last two hours, because of this storm, the amount of planes to Gatwick that have diverted is actually crazy.

"I’ve never seen a storm like that before, let alone see most flights to Gatwick be in the top 10 most tracked flights."

The Met Office has warned: "Thunderstorms may bring disruption in some areas, especially to travel."

The Met Office has a yellow warning in place for thunderstorms in the South East (Met Office)

People have been told: "Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

"Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services, as well as possible power cuts.

"There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, with damage due to floodwater or lightning strikes."