Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice

Log by: James Smith

The belief that lightning never strikes the same place twice is a widespread myth that has been proven false. In reality, lightning frequently strikes the same locations repeatedly—especially tall structures, open fields, and elevated natural formations. Skyscrapers, radio towers, and mountain peaks are struck dozens or even hundreds of times each year. The Empire State Building in New York, for example, is hit by lightning around 20–25 times annually. Lightning follows the path of least resistance, meaning tall and conductive objects are more likely to be struck again and again. This myth likely developed as a way to comfort people after a lightning strike, implying the danger had passed. Scientific evidence shows the opposite: once a location is prone to lightning, it remains at risk. Understanding this helps improve safety measures and highlights how natural phenomena often defy popular assumptions.

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