SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/lightning-same-place-twice

Does lightning ever strike the same place twice?

Yes, often, especially tall, pointy, lonely things.

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The Just Right card

Too littleLightning never hits the same spot twice
Too muchLightning only hits the same few spots
Just rightTall, pointy, isolated things get hit again and again

Huh, didn't know that: The Empire State Building is hit by lightning about 23 times a year.

The dad joke
Why is lightning so badly behaved? It doesn't know how to conduct itself.
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References

Answer: Yes, often, especially tall and pointy things. Lightning goes for whatever is tall, pointy and alone. That doesn't change after a strike, so the same spot can get hit again and again.

  1. National Weather Service: Lightning Myths www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-myths
    Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it's a tall, pointy, isolated object.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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Test yourself in the game

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