We love talking about the weather — it’s the original small talk. But over the years, certain myths have been repeated so many times that they’ve started to sound like facts. And while most of them are harmless, some actually distort the way we understand weather safety, storm science, or even climate.

So today, I’m busting 5 of the most persistent weather myths — with real meteorological science to back it up.

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☇ MYTH #1: “Lightning never strikes the same place twice.”

Wrong. It absolutely does — in fact, tall buildings like the CN Tower or Empire State Building are struck dozens of times every year.

Lightning doesn’t have memory. It follows the path of least resistance, which means if something is tall, conductive, and exposed — it’s likely to be hit again.

✔ Real Fact: Lightning can strike the same location multiple times — and often does.

🧪Source: National Weather Service, Lightning Safety FAQ

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💨 MYTH #2: “Wind comes from clouds moving.”

Clouds move because of wind, not the other way around.

Wind is created by pressure differences. When one area has higher pressure and another has lower pressure, air flows from the high to the low — just like air escaping a balloon. That moving air is what we call wind. Clouds simply ride the airflow, like cotton balls in a river.

✔ Real Fact: Wind is caused by atmospheric pressure gradients, not clouds.

🧪Source: AMS Glossary of Meteorology

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⚡ MYTH #3: “If there’s no thunder, it’s just heat lightning.”

Let’s retire “heat lightning” once and for all.

What you’re seeing is real lightning from a distant thunderstorm — often over 20 km away. You can’t hear the thunder because sound waves don’t travel as far as light. Summer heat may contribute to storm development, but there’s no special “heat-only” lightning.

✔ Real Fact: “Heat lightning” is just distant lightning with inaudible thunder.

🧪Source: NOAA / National Severe Storms Lab

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🌧 MYTH #4: “Rain always falls straight down.”

It sure doesn’t. In fact, strong winds at different altitudes can tilt falling rain at sharp angles. And in intense storms, updrafts can even push raindrops back upward before they fall again.

This is why radar shows precipitation in strange shapes — and why umbrellas feel useless in sideways rain.

✔ Real Fact: Rain is often tilted by wind shear and updrafts — it doesn’t fall straight.

🧪Source: COMET MetEd Atmospheric Dynamics

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☁️ MYTH #5: “Clouds are weightless — they float!”

Cumulus clouds may look fluffy and light, but they actually weigh more than 1 million pounds on average. So why don’t they fall?

Because the tiny water droplets are suspended in rising air currents (called updrafts) that provide lift. The droplets are so small and light individually, they stay afloat — until conditions change and precipitation begins.

✔ Real Fact: Clouds are massive but suspended by buoyant rising air.

🧪Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

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🌦 Final Thoughts

We live under the sky every single day — but it still has a few tricks up its sleeve. The more we understand how weather really works, the better we can forecast, prepare, and even marvel at what’s happening above our heads.

Until next time — stay curious and maybe check that lightning safety plan.

— Kelsey