“Lightning never strikes the same place twice.”

The notion that lightning never strikes the same place twice is a deeply ingrained saying, often used metaphorically to suggest that an unusual or unfortunate event is unlikely to reoccur. This common idiom likely emerged from observations in a time before our scientific understanding of atmospheric electricity, when lightning strikes seemed random and rare across vast landscapes. People may have seen a strike in the distance and, not witnessing a repeat performance, assumed it was a singular event.

However, the truth is quite the opposite. Lightning is not selective; it consistently seeks the path of least electrical resistance to the ground. This means that tall, isolated, and conductive objects are frequently struck multiple times. A prime example is the Empire State Building in New York City, which is hit by lightning dozens of times each year, sometimes as many as 20 to 25 times annually, and has even been struck multiple times within a single storm. Other structures like the Eiffel Tower and the Willis Tower also experience repeated strikes, as do natural features such as mountain peaks and lone trees. Modern lightning detection networks continuously record these frequent, repeated impacts, providing clear scientific evidence that challenges the old adage.

The persistence of this misconception can be attributed to its comforting metaphorical use, implying that bad luck won't revisit the same individual or location. Additionally, because lightning strikes are incredibly fast and can appear random across a wide area, it's rare for an individual to personally witness the same spot being struck repeatedly, reinforcing the idea of a one-time occurrence. Yet, the science is clear: if conditions are right and a path of least resistance exists, lightning will strike, and strike again.