On July 16, 2026, a rare thunderstorm swept through Vancouver, British Columbia, bringing 139 lightning strikes, as reported by Environment Canada. The storm, which occurred in the evening, was unusual for the region, which typically experiences mild, dry summers with few thunderstorms.
Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan confirmed the count, noting that such events are infrequent in coastal areas like Vancouver. The lightning strikes were concentrated over the city and surrounding areas, with no major damage or injuries reported.
The storm also brought brief heavy rain, but no significant flooding occurred. Residents shared videos and photos on social media, highlighting the dramatic lightning displays. This event follows a trend of unusual weather patterns in the Pacific Northwest, though experts caution against directly linking single events to climate change.
