Lightning has always fascinated and terrified humans, leading to many myths and misconceptions about its behavior. One of the most persistent myths is that lightning never strikes the same place twice. This belief suggests that once a location has been hit, it’s somehow “safe” from future strikes, which is far from the truth.
Myth: Lightning Doesn’t Strike the Same Place Twice
Many people believe that once lightning has struck a location, it won’t strike there again. This myth suggests that lightning always targets new locations and avoids areas it has already hit.
Truth: Lightning Often Strikes the Same Place Multiple Times
In reality, lightning can and does strike the same place more than once. According to NASA, the probability of lightning striking the same spot twice is approximately 45%. Lightning seeks the shortest path to the ground, meaning that tall objects like buildings, trees, and even mountains are frequently hit multiple times. For example, the Empire State Building in New York City is struck by lightning about 25 times a year.
Lightning doesn’t discriminate, and any tall or conductive object can be repeatedly targeted, making this myth widely misunderstood.