Massive Storm Moves Through Sydney; Lightning Strikes Sydney Tower

A bolt of lightning struck Sydney Tower during the evening hours of 29 January 2016. The strike was part of a massive thunderstorm that worked its way southeast throughout the region. Besides lightning, the storm also dumped heavy rains and hail during the hour or so it moved through Sydney.

The above video shows the total lightning that Earth Networks detected in the region. The yellow flashes represent cloud-to-ground strikes, like the one that hit Sydney Tower. The purple flashes signify cloud-to-cloud lightning.

The above photo shows the exact yellow cloud-to-ground strike that we believe hit Sydney Tower. Residents of the area were advised to make sure their homes were secure and their cars under cover before the storm, that dropped hail 5cm in diameter in some places, hit.