Common Misconceptions about Lightning

There are many myths and misconceptions about lightning and some of them are very dangerous. The old expression that lightning never strikes twice in the same place is not true. Indeed it has been shown that some very tall buildings have been struck several times in the same storm. Also, many people, especially children, think that during a thunderstorm it is better to seek shelter under tall trees. This in fact is very dangerous, for tall trees are more likely to get struck by lightning. Yet another erroneous belief is that a clap of thunder always occurs after a bolt of lightning. In fact, many thunderclaps are never heard due to their distance from the observer.

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