This is the moment lightning struck the CN Tower during Ontario storm
As thunderstorms and freezing rain pummeled much of southern Ontario Wednesday, a video captured in downtown Toronto shows the moment a bolt of lightning struck the tip of the CN Tower.
The storms began early Wednesday, with tornado watches issued in areas such as Chatham-Kent and Windsor, Ont., and freezing rain, rainfall, and thunderstorm watches issued from Toronto, north to Barrie, and east to Ottawa, Ont.
The storm then barrelled across Quebec and, at noon on Thursday, about a third of Quebecers were without power, officials said.
- Quebec storm: A third of customers should have power restored within 24 hours
- In pictures: Major snow, ice storm rips through five provinces
In Toronto, residents were quick to document the weather, sharing their videos on social media -- some even captured the moment a lightning bolt hit the iconic CN Tower.
The CN Tower is equipped for such incidents, according to its website.
“Don’t worry, this system has been put to the test—on average, the CN Tower is struck by lightning 75 times per year,” according to Canada Lands Company.
A conductive series of copper strips runs through the tower, allowing electrons from lightning to move through easily before feeding into “massive grounding rods,” it said.
“When lightning does strike the Tower, the electrical discharge runs through the wires and diffuses into the ground.”
Wednesday's storm should mark the end of treacherous weather for the city this week. According to Environment Canada, Toronto is forecast to see a mix of sun and cloud this weekend, with a few showers returning on Monday.
With files from Hannah Alberga.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'My two daughters were sleeping': London Ont. family in shock after their home riddled with gunfire
A London father and son they’re shocked and confused after their home was riddled with bullets while young children were sleeping inside.
How much do you need to earn to buy a home? Income requirements continue to ease
The average salary needed to buy a home keeps inching down in cities across Canada, according to the latest data.
Genetic evidence backs up COVID-19 origin theory that pandemic started in seafood market
A group of researchers say they have more evidence to suggest the COVID-19 pandemic started in a Chinese seafood market where it spread from infected animals to humans. The evidence is laid out in a recent study published in Cell, a scientific journal, nearly five years after the first known COVID-19 outbreak.
Smuggler arrested with 300 tarantulas strapped to his body
Police in Peru have arrested a man caught trying to leave the country with 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes and nine bullet ants strapped to his body.
Boissonnault out of cabinet to 'focus on clearing the allegations,' Trudeau announces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced embattled minister Randy Boissonnault is out of cabinet.
Baby dies after being reported missing in midtown Toronto: police
A four-month-old baby is dead after what Toronto police are calling a “suspicious incident” at a Toronto Community Housing building in the city’s midtown area on Wednesday afternoon.
Sask. woman who refused to provide breath sample did not break the law, court finds
A Saskatchewan woman who refused to provide a breath sample after being stopped by police in Regina did not break the law – as the officer's request was deemed not lawful given the circumstances.
Parole board reverses decision and will allow families of Paul Bernardo's victims to attend upcoming parole hearing in person
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo will be allowed to attend the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) says.
'They squandered 10 years of opportunity': Canada Post strike exposes longtime problems, expert says
Canada Post is at ‘death's door’ and won't survive if it doesn't dramatically transform its business, a professor who has studied the Crown corporation is warning as the postal workers' national strike drags on.