Nothing is normal in 2020 - and thunderstorms appear to be no exception.
Readers have captured footage across Greater Manchester of a huge storm, absent a couple of key elements (so far at least) - thunder and rain.
The weather phenomenon that hit the region late on Monday night is known as heat lightning.
The term heat lightning is commonly used to describe lightning from a distant thunderstorm which is too far away to hear the accompanying thunder.
At night, it is possible to see the flashes of lightning from very far distances, up to 100 miles (160 kilometres), but the sound does not carry that far.
While many people incorrectly think that heat lightning is a specific type of lightning, it is simply ordinary lightning produced by a distant thunderstorm.
"Very strange, magical silent lightning happening over Manchester", said Dan Lord on Twitter - alongside a video showing repeated silent lightning flashes.
"Some cracking #lightning in #manchester tonight! No thunder yet though. My grainy code doesn't do it justice!", wrote Phil Young.
"Constant lighting where I am near Manchester. No thunder just the a lot of lightning! It coming!", said Ben Walmsley on Twitter.
Footage captured by Manchester Evening News videographer Andrew Stuart also showed the repeated silent lightning flashes.
Forecasters believe Manchester could be set for a week of heat, thunderstorms, downpours and even hail.
The Met Office says the region could be hit by torrential downpours, frequent lightning and hail, and has put a weather warning for thunderstorms in place until Thursday.
They say that the weather will be dry with sunny spells before heavy, thundery showers develop later.
The middle of the week is expected to be particularly warm, with temperatures predicted to hit the late 20s.
