Statistics of lightning strikes to the Toronto Canadian National Tower (1978-1995)

Lightning strikes to the 553 m high CN Tower have been observed since 1978. Video records of CN Tower lightning events during the intervening lightning seasons, up to and including 1995, have been analyzed and statistical finding are presented. The paper includes data on monthly and diurnal occurrences of lightning, as well as on parameters of incidence; such as flash duration, multiplicity of strokes in a flash and interstroke intervals. Lightning data for CN Tower strikes are also compared with observations made elsewhere in the world. Information derived is relevant to lightning protection of tall structures and of neighbouring objects, and of power line and substation components, in particular those erected in mountainous regions