Australia: The storm late on Wednesday night created widespread excitement as it blanketed Perth and surrounding areas with huge lightning strikes.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said it was caused by a surface trough combined with some instability over the southern half of the state.

However, despite the impressive sky show, the storm did not produce significant rainfall over Perth, reports the ABC News.

The city has recorded just 2.4 millimetres of rain since 9:00am on Wednesday, although Pearce north-east of the city has recorded 29.8mm.

While the rain mostly failed to arrive, the power cuts did — with more than 7,000 homes blacked out overnight as a result of the lightning strikes.

Western Power said homes in Perth, Moora, Bindoon, Wongan Hills and Dalwallinu were affected.

About 500 homes in Perth remained without electricity on Thursday morning, along with 1,500 to the north of the city and 200 to the south.

Western Power said electricity to those properties should be restored quickly.