Lighting season is in full force in Alberta, and will stick around for the next month or so.
After an intense series of storms across Alberta this week — from a lightning storm that sparked several fires in Edmonton, to extreme thunderstorms that pummeled Calgary and Airdrie with hail — we started to wonder where in Alberta is the most likely to experience lightning.
FortisAlberta, an electric distribution provider, has been tracking lightning hot spots across the province, and shared their top 10 list of places most likely to experience lightning last year.
In 2013, FortisAlberta recorded nearly 210,000 lighting strikes for their 55 major service points.
And while the order of the list changes year-to-year, some of the same places routinely pop up, such as St. Albert and Sherwood Park near Edmonton.
Click through to see Alberta's lighting strike hot spots. Story continues below.
Alberta Hot Spots For Lightning Strikes
(01 of26)
Open Image ModalCheck out the areas in Alberta that had the highest occurrence of lightning strikes last year... (credit:Johan Swanepoel via Getty Images)
(02 of26)
Open Image ModalSt. Albert – 2.911 strikes per square kilometre (1,775 total) (credit:Design Pics / Corey Hochachka via Getty Images)
(03 of26)
Open Image ModalSpruce Grove – 2.198 strikes per square kilometre (3,801 total) (credit:Balazs Kovacs via Getty Images)
(04 of26)
Open Image ModalSherwood Park – 2.150 strikes per square kilometre (4,222 total) (credit:tylerblue/Flickr)
(05 of26)
Open Image ModalFort Saskatchewan – 2.138 strikes per square kilometre (4,238 total) (credit:Mike Hill via Getty Images)
(06 of26)
Open Image ModalSedgewick – 2.118 strikes per square kilometre (6,337 total) (credit:Cultura Science/Jason Persoff Stormdoctor via Getty Images)
(07 of26)
Open Image ModalOnoway – 2.109 strikes per square kilometre (3,295 total) (credit:Shutterstock / Creative Travel Projects)
(08 of26)
Open Image ModalEntwistle - 2.050 strikes per square kilometre (4,883 total) (credit:Daryl Benson via Getty Images)
(09 of26)
Open Image ModalWainwright – 1.867 strikes per square kilometre (8,484 total) (credit:StrikingPhotography via Getty Images)
(10 of26)
Open Image ModalDrayton Valley – 1.840 strikes per square kilometre (12,062 total) (credit:klagyivik via Getty Images)
(11 of26)
Open Image ModalRedwater – 1.767 strikes per square kilometre (2,561 total) (credit:Comstock via Getty Images)
(12 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(13 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
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Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(15 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(16 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(17 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(18 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(19 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(20 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(21 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(22 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(23 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(24 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
(25 of26)
Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
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Open Image ModalA thrill-seeking storm chaser captured the precise moment these giant lightning bolts lit up dark skies in a series of incredible storms. (credit:Solent News)
FortisAlberta reminds us to be proactive in keeping safe when lighting strikes. They recommend disconnecting electronics and electrical appliances before storms hit, to protect from electrical surges when power is restored.
When a storm hits, people should remains inside, if possible, and stay away from door, windows, fireplaces and anything metal that could conduct electricity.
If caught outside, people should take shelter and stay away from objects that conduct electricity, like heavy equipment, golf clubs and water. FortisAlberta says people should get to low ground and stay away from tall objects like trees, hilltops and poles.