Trooday
Lightning striking an antenna on a tall building beneath dark storm clouds.
Environment

Is it true that lightning never strikes the same place twice?

Published

Verdict
False
Verification confidenceHigh

Explanation

No. Lightning can strike the same place more than once. A previous strike does not prevent another discharge from reaching that location.

NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory explicitly confirms repeated strikes. The UK's Met Office independently describes the same phenomenon, citing repeated strikes to the Empire State Building.

Height helps explain why some structures are struck repeatedly. NOAA explains that taller objects are more likely to produce an upward electrical channel that connects with a developing flash. This makes repeat strikes physically understandable, although lightning does not always hit the tallest object.

Key takeaway

A lightning strike does not make a location immune to future strikes.

Evidence

NOAA confirms that locations can be struck again

NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory

Contradicts the claim

The laboratory states that lightning can hit the same spot repeatedly and explains how site characteristics can increase the likelihood of another strike.

Based on: NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory

Repeated strikes occur on tall buildings

Met Office

Contradicts the claim

The Met Office's thunderstorm factsheet explicitly rejects the saying and identifies the Empire State Building as an example of repeated strikes.

Based on: Met Office

Was this check helpful?

Sign in required

Sign in required

How we check claims

Related checks

Side-by-side winter cityscapes of Montreal and Toronto.
Environment

Is Montreal colder than Toronto?

Yes, especially in winter. Comparable airport records show lower annual and January averages in Montreal, although the difference varies by season.

Verdict
True
Verification confidenceHigh