Vancouver experienced its biggest lightning storm in two years Thursday

A rare thunderstorm pounded Metro Vancouver Thursday night, bringing a spectacle to the skies.

Flashes of lightning lit up the sky late Thursday night and, according to weather officials, it was the region’s biggest storm in two years.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says 139 lightning strikes hit the region over a two-and-a-half-hour period between roughly 9 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

Meteorologist Jenn Cowall said it was one of the biggest lightning storms of the past decade and the biggest since 2024.

North Vancouver resident Jocelyn Kennedy sent CTV News multiple videos and photos captured by her daughter, including one showing a lightning strike that sent flames up a tree in Princess Park.

“It carried down the tree, but we never saw flames afterwards and there was never any response, so I think we still had enough moisture to prevent any fires luckily,” she said.

While disaster was avoided, Kennedy said the experience was an eye-opener.

“We just realized how vulnerable we actually are even in these residential areas to the fires and how quickly it could have started if it was drier,” Kennedy said.

Meanwhile, a fire broke out inside a home on Dovercourt Road in Lynn Valley during the storm.

District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services says it cannot yet confirm lightning was the cause, saying it was one of many calls crews responded to Thursday night.

“Our fire crews were really busy there were multiple calls happening at the same time,” said Asst. Chief Dennis Cappillini.

No major damage or injuries have been reported.