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Climate and Weather

Air Phenomena

Does lightning ever strike twice in the same place?

Lightning can and often does strike twice in the same place. Since lightning bolts head for the highest and most conductive point, that point often receives multiple strikes of lightning in the course of a storm. In fact, tall buildings, such as the Empire State Building in New York, can be struck several times during the same storm. During one storm, lightning struck the Empire State Building 12 times. Designed as a lightning rod for the surrounding area, the Empire State Building is struck by lightning about one hundred times per year during multiple storms.



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