Darrin Hiles caught these electrifying images of the thunderstorm over Austin, TX last night.

Strong storms that barreled through Dallas and Fort Worth left behind damage to buildings and vehicles, knocked out power for hundreds of thousands and at injured at least two people.

Temperatures were in the upper 80s for much of the region. warm, moist air served as the ‘fuel’ that enhanced and sustained the thunderstorms that developed along a plunging cold front.

Heat lightning
Heat lightning is the name used for the faint flashes of lightning on the horizon or other clouds from distant thunderstorms that do not have accompanying sounds of thunder. This happens because the lightning occurs very far away and the sound dissipates before it reaches the observer