Dear Tom,
People always say that lightning never strikes the same place twice. Is this true?
Victoria Jacobson, Downers Grove
Dear Victoria,
Proverbs usually express well-known truths or facts, but the proverb that you have mentioned is demonstrably incorrect. It first appeared in the United States about 100 years ago.
Indeed, much of what we know about lightning has been learned by placing measuring equipment at locations where lightning strikes repeatedly and frequently. Mountain peaks, exposed ridges, broadcast towers and the tops of skyscrapers are among spots most often targeted by lightning. For example, it is estimated that Sears Tower takes about 50 strikes per year.
On flat terrain and away from tall structures, lightning ground strikes occur randomly, and the same spot will rarely be struck more than once.
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
