A lightning strike counter and a lightning strike counting method are disclosed. The lightning strike counter includes a lightning strike input circuit, a bipolar waveform generating circuit, and a counting circuit. The lightning strike input circuit receives a lightning strike signal from a first lightning strike input end and a second lightning strike input end. The bipolar waveform generating circuit outputs a bipolar waveform signal from a bipolar waveform output end to the counting circuit in response to the lightning strike input circuit receiving the lightning strike signal. The counting circuit outputs a counting output signal from a counting output end in response to receiving the bipolar waveform signal from a counting input end.