IT may look like a scene from Independence Day, but in fact this huge cloud is just a massive storm.

The enormous cloud could be seen all across Swindon and other parts of the country on Tuesday evening.

After pictures of the distinctly-shaped cloud were sent to BBC weather forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker, he said it was a natural phenomenon – a cumulonimbus Incus, or an anvil cloud, typically meaning a thunderstorm is brewing.

Tomasz posted about the unusual cloud on Twitter, calling it a “beauty”.

He wrote: “A #thunderstorm 7 miles high or more, with ferocious, often hurricane force updrafts in its core. And the rest you know....”

Adver readers told us what they thought on our Facebook page.

Emma Boyle said: “I saw this cloud when I was walking back from Morrisons. It was pretty to look at.”

Christopher Passmore said: “This did catch my eye! It was quite freaky looking!”

Lesley Lilley said: “I saw it just to the east of Upper Stratton. It looked a bit like a nuclear mushroom cloud.”

Cumulonimbus clouds are associated with extreme weather, according to the Met Office.

Heatwaves are extreme weather events, but research shows that climate change is making these events more likely.

The Met Office says: “Cumulonimbus clouds are menacing looking multi-level clouds, extending high into the sky in towers or plumes.

“More commonly known as thunderclouds, cumulonimbus is the only cloud type that can produce hail, thunder and lightning.”

This comes after temperatures in the region neared 35C. Temperatures will start to fall from their peak from today onwards.

The forecaster has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms in Swindon for the rest of the week and until Monday.