[There should be a map below. If it’s not loading, here’s a direct link.]

I came across this fascinating collection of lightning stories on the Environment and Climate Change Canada website, and there are some really fascinating nuggets in there. According to the page, these stories were assembled by Senior Climatologist David Phillips for the Canadian Weather Trivia Calendar. In January 2025, Phillips retired to an emeritus position at 80, after more than 50 years as the public face of Canadian weather.

The Star mentions that Phillips is a resident of Barrie — which was news to us at Factso, based in South Barrie at the Squirrel Ridge Observatory Centre. In honour of his illustrious career (a personal idol of our executive director, Jay Gerbrandt), Factso has mapped the rough locations of the stories from the government site. Enjoy learning bizarre factoids about the many and varied ways lightning can affect people, animals, and objects.

Editor’s note: Factso does not claim any copyright over these facts, and seeks to present them in a more digestible format under fair use for educational purposes.