MAUNA KEA, Hawaii – The thunderstorm that rolled over East Hawaii last night was captured from an experimental high sensitivity camera on Mauna Kea.

The Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope’s Cloud Camera recorded an enhanced look at the lightning storm that electrified Hilo, Hamakua and Puna overnight and into this morning.

The thunder began on Wednesday afternoon, as abundant tropical moisture and an upper trough affected the state. A Flash Flood Warning was issued as evening approached. Hamakua was soaked by rain, while the lightning put on a frightening show across East Hawaii.

The CFHT Cloudcam faces east towards Hilo from high above on Mauna Kea, and takes a picture every 30 seconds in order to compile the time-lapse movie.

The observatory says and you can usually see the lights of the city and the belt road through Hamakua along with boats and barges on the ocean. You can also see inter-island and mainland flights arriving and departing from Hilo airport. Last night, the camera captured much more.

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for Hawaii Island into Friday afternoon.