Tree split in half by lightning strike in Baldivis during overnight thunderstorm

Perth's southern suburbs copped a battering overnight as a thunderstorm swept across the region.

Residents in Baldivis, Wellard, Rockingham, Warnbro, Secret Harbour and surrounding suburbs were woken by loud claps of thunder, lightning and heavy rainfall from around 11.30pm.

Bureau meteorologist Jessica Lingard said thunderstorms were not unusual for this time of the year but this one packed a punch.

"As we got closer to midnight we did see a cell moving through the southern suburbs, that one was probably the more significant one of the night," she said.

"Typical thunderstorm behaviour, we can get some gusty winds with them and that little bit of rainfall as well, I think also that time of night it might've caught a few people by surprise."

There has been no reports of any serious damage however a tree at Makybe Rise Primary School in Baldivis was split in half by a lightning strike.