Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Result: This myth is not true. In fact, the Empire State Building get struck about 100 times a year by lightning (noaa.gov).
Reason: First I'll tell you a small background on lightning. A Cumulonimbus cloud (Thunderstorm cloud) has different charges within the cloud. There are protons or a positive charge at the top of the cloud. And there is electrons or a negative charge at the bottom of the cloud. Then the ground is mostly positively charged. The opposite charges within the cloud and on the ground creates lightning. This lightning will actually pass through a channel that was made through the air multiple times. Which is why you see multiple flashes of light sometimes. Lightning also looks for the shortest distance to the opposite charge which is why tall buildings and trees are struck by lightning more often then something lower to the ground.
Hope you have a wonderful week! Happy Monday!
Photo From:
theatlantic.com
britannica.com
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