Hail and Thunder... in January?

There are moments, even after years in this country, when English winters amazes me. We have had a very miserable weather since the beginning of January (and since December actually), rarely downright cold, but always cool and wet. So yesterday, in the middle of the afternoon, there was a hail storm. Nothing outstanding yet, but a few minutes later, I could see lightning and thunder. The quintessential summertime weather, but on a cool winter day. In January. In England. I have seen electric storms as late as late October, November sometimes, but I don't remember witnessing any in January. I should not complain, at the same time it was minus 47 Celsius where I come from.