Lightning never strikes the same place twice.

The claim 'Lightning never strikes the same place twice' is a common proverb used metaphorically to suggest that unlikely events do not repeat at the same location or to the same person. However, from a scientific and meteorological perspective, this claim is false. Lightning is an electrical discharge that tends to strike tall, isolated, or conductive objects repeatedly because these features provide a preferred path for the electrical current.

For example, iconic tall buildings like the Empire State Building are struck by lightning about 25 times per year. This demonstrates that lightning can and does strike the same place multiple times, even within short time intervals such as during the same thunderstorm or over many years. The myth likely persists due to misunderstanding of lightning behavior and its metaphorical use in language.

Multiple authoritative sources including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Britannica, and weather safety organizations confirm that lightning striking the same place more than once is common and expected under certain conditions. Therefore, the claim is factually incorrect when taken literally.