Playground Myth Physics Geography

Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice

Lightning can and does strike the same location repeatedly

Kids learned that lightning never struck the same location twice, making previously struck buildings or people safe from future strikes.

Lightning frequently strikes the same location multiple times. The Empire State Building is struck approximately 20-25 times per year. Tall structures, repeated patterns in geography, and areas with high electrical conductivity are more likely to be struck repeatedly. There's no mechanism that would prevent lightning from striking the same spot, and weather patterns often return to similar areas.

Believed 1950–2010
Year Revised None
Why Changed Never True
Confidence Fully Debunked
Region Worldwide

Reception

8/10
7/10

Sources

Start typing to search 553 wrong facts