12 Weird Myths About Lightning

Table of Contents

Unusual Myths and Facts About Lightning

Lightning is one of nature’s most dramatic and mysterious forces. Every second, around 100 lightning bolts strike somewhere on Earth. For thousands of years, people have looked to the skies and interpreted lightning through the lens of myth, fear, and wonder. While science now provides solid explanations, the strange beliefs that have developed across cultures remain both entertaining and enlightening. Let’s explore 12 weird myths about lightning and the surprising truths behind them—plus the cultural, scientific, and historical facts that make lightning even more fascinating.

1. Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice

Contrary to this myth, lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly. Iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and CN Tower are struck several times per year. The myth likely spread as a way to reassure people that the chance of being struck again was slim—but scientifically, it’s false. Lightning tends to hit the tallest and most conductive points repeatedly, making skyscrapers, antennas, and trees vulnerable targets.

2. Carrying Metal Attracts Lightning

This myth is based on a misunderstanding of conductivity. Yes, metal conducts electricity well, but it does not attract lightning. The main factors that determine where lightning will strike include height, isolation, and geometry—not whether you’re wearing a belt buckle or carrying keys. In fact, the presence of metal on your body is unlikely to make a significant difference during a lightning storm.

3. Rubber Tires Protect You From Lightning

Many believe that being in a car is safe because of the rubber tires. However, it is actually the metal shell of the car that forms a protective “Faraday cage,” allowing electricity to travel around the occupants and into the ground. The rubber tires have minimal effect on the outcome. That’s why convertibles and motorcycles do not offer the same protection.

4. Ringing Church Bells Can Ward Off Lightning

In 18th-century Europe, bell ringers often rang church bells to drive away thunderstorms. Many were struck and killed because tall bell towers attract lightning. The practice was rooted in religious beliefs, associating thunder and lightning with evil spirits or divine wrath. Some churches even cast Latin phrases into their bells, like “Fulgura Frango” (I break the lightning).

5. Blue Skies Mean You're Safe

“Bolt from the blue” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a meteorological reality. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the center of a storm, even when skies above look clear. These surprise strikes are rare but extremely dangerous because they catch people off guard. That’s why meteorologists recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before resuming outdoor activities.

6. Lightning Only Happens with Rain

While thunderstorms often involve rain, lightning can also occur during volcanic eruptions, snowstorms (known as “thundersnow”), or even wildfires. Dry thunderstorms, common in deserts, produce little or no rainfall but generate lightning that can spark devastating wildfires. The absence of rain does not indicate the absence of electrical danger.

7. Indoors Means Totally Safe

Being inside is safer than being outside, but not without risk. Lightning can travel through pipes, phone lines, electrical systems, and even concrete. In fact, indoor lightning injuries often occur in people who were showering, washing dishes, or using corded phones during a storm. The National Weather Service advises avoiding water, electronics, and windows during lightning activity.

8. Taking Shelter Under a Tree Is Smart

This dangerous myth has cost lives. Trees attract lightning due to their height and moisture content. When lightning strikes a tree, it can explode bark, start fires, and send current through the ground. People sheltering beneath may become part of the electrical path, suffering severe injuries or death. Instead, find a building or car.

9. Lightning Avoids Water

Water is an excellent conductor. Lightning spreads across the surface of lakes, oceans, and pools after a strike. Swimmers, boaters, and fishermen are at risk even if the strike occurs several feet away. Open water is one of the most dangerous places during a thunderstorm. That’s why lifeguards often evacuate beaches when storms are near.

10. Lightning Always Comes from the Sky

In rare cases, lightning can travel from the ground upward. This phenomenon, known as “ground-up lightning” or “upward lightning,” usually occurs near tall structures and during positive lightning events. It’s an extraordinary sight and demonstrates how complex and counterintuitive lightning behavior can be.

11. You Can Smell Lightning

Some people say they can smell a metallic or sulfur-like odor before lightning strikes. This might be due to ozone, a gas produced by electrical discharges. While you might notice this scent after a close strike, it’s not a reliable warning system. If you think you smell ozone during a storm, it’s time to find shelter immediately.

12. Lightning Strikes Are Always Fatal

While deadly, lightning strikes are survivable. About 10% of lightning strikes are fatal. Survivors often experience memory loss, chronic pain, PTSD, and burns. Some even develop unique phenomena like keraunoparalysis (temporary paralysis). Famous survivors include park ranger Roy Sullivan, who was struck seven times and lived to tell the tale.

Cultural Lightning Beliefs from Around the World

Lightning has inspired deep myths and traditions across different civilizations:

• Japan: Children are told to cover their belly buttons during storms to avoid being struck. The god Raijin is believed to hunt for exposed stomachs.
• Norway: Lightning was believed to be caused by Thor’s hammer Mjölnir, thrown across the sky in fury.
• Africa (Benin): In Vodun tradition, lightning is a divine weapon used by the god Shango to punish wrongdoers.
• Brazil: Some Amazonian tribes believe lightning is a spiritual messenger or a sign of conflict between sky gods.
• India: Thunderstorms are sometimes believed to be celestial battles between gods and demons, with lightning as a divine weapon.
• Philippines: Old stories claim lightning can bless or curse farmland, and elders once performed rituals to “direct” storms away.

Scientific Wonders About Lightning

Here are a few amazing facts that make lightning even more interesting:

• Heat: A single bolt of lightning can reach 30,000 Kelvin (53,540°F), hotter than the surface of the Sun.
• Length: The longest recorded lightning bolt stretched over 477 miles across the southern United States in 2020.
• Frequency: Earth experiences over 1.4 billion lightning flashes annually. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has one of the highest lightning strike rates in the world.
• Ball Lightning: A rare phenomenon where a glowing orb appears during storms—still not fully understood by scientists.

True Stories of Lightning Strikes

Many people have had close encounters with lightning, sometimes with bizarre outcomes:

In 1998, a Canadian golfer was struck by lightning while holding a club mid-swing. He survived but lost his memory for over a month. In Florida, a woman was struck through her landline phone while calling her mother during a storm. And Roy Sullivan, a U.S. park ranger, holds the record for surviving the most lightning strikes—seven in total, earning him the nickname “The Human Lightning Rod.”

What to Do During a Lightning Storm

Understanding lightning myths is entertaining, but safety is crucial. Follow these guidelines:

• Seek shelter indoors or in a car with a metal roof.
• Avoid using water, electronics, or corded phones.
• Stay away from windows and doors.
• If caught outside, avoid open fields and isolated trees.
• Crouch low if you’re in danger—don’t lie flat.

Conclusion

Lightning continues to captivate, mystify, and sometimes terrify us. These weird myths about lightning—from ancient gods to modern misunderstandings—show how human imagination tries to explain the unknown. By blending scientific truth with cultural tales, we gain a deeper appreciation of this incredible force of nature. Next time a thunderstorm rolls in, remember: truth can be even stranger than myth—and much more useful when it comes to safety.

Haruka Cigem - Curious Facts Explored.