Sounds very similar to what happened here in Southampton. Woken by
thunder at 4.45, which persisted until 6. Then started drifting off,
though I think I was aware of the rain stopping.

Then rain started again around 7, I think, which was of the generic,
winter-style type falling from stratus. At a guess the first lot was
the front and the second lot the wave on the front moving back
westwards.

Ever-so-slow clearance since. Blue sky first appeared to the SW around
midday but only now is it approaching being overhead.

What's remarkable about this event is we've gone straight from a hot SE
wind to a true polar, almost arctic NW. Can't think of an occasion
where this has happened before - normally SE winds go round to warmish,
returning polar SW types.

Nick