Videos of CN Tower’s shocking encounters during lightning storm

They say 'lightning never strikes twice,' but that hardly applies to the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere.

Toronto residents were treated to a light show during a thunderstorm overnight Wednesday so intense one CBC meteorologist said there were approximately 1,000 lightning strikes every two minutes.

The CN Tower is struck by lightning an average of 75 times per year, according to a University of Toronto article, but that number might be quite a bit higher after lightning repeatedly hit the tower during Wednesday's storm.

It was an impressive sight to see, and many residents were quick to get their cameras out.

Here are a few more of our favourite videos from the meteorological event:

It's easy to see why this video is filled with 'oohs' and 'aahs':

This patient cameraman also includes some great still shots of the CN Tower all lit up:

Having a vertical perspective on the lightning strikes makes it look that much more 'shocking':

You can see the bright flashes in this video stretch out across the sky behind the tower:

Last but not least, this one big hit seems like a good way to sum up the storm: