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Dubai’s Burj Khalifa was dramatically struck by lightning as unstable weather swept across the United Arab Emirates, creating a viral visual spectacle but posing no threat to the world’s tallest building, which is engineered to withstand such powerful electrical discharges.
The lightning strike occurred as the UAE entered the peak phase of the ‘Al Bashayer’ low-pressure system on December 18, bringing heavy rain, thunder, lightning and hail to several regions, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
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The NCM issued warnings for severe weather, urging residents to exercise caution amid intense downpours and thunderstorms.
Local media reported waterlogged streets, reduced visibility and disrupted outdoor activities as the system moved over the country.
A short video showing a bolt of lightning hitting the spire of the Burj Khalifa spread rapidly across social media platforms, shared widely by residents and global audiences alike.
Viewers described the moment as mesmerising, with the bright flash dramatically illuminating the tower against dark storm clouds and reinforcing the skyscraper’s prominence on Dubai’s skyline. Many users also noted the perceived rarity of witnessing such a direct strike so clearly on camera, even though engineers say the tower is frequently a focal point during storms.
How Burj Khalifa handles lightning
Standing about 829 metres tall, the Burj Khalifa effectively acts as a giant lightning conductor for the surrounding area.
At its peak, the tower is equipped with a dedicated lightning arrester system designed to detect nearby electrical storms and safely intercept lightning discharges.
The building’s steel structure functions like a Faraday cage, guiding the massive electrical current down specially designed conductive paths and into the ground, protecting occupants and internal systems.
Advanced lightning protection components, similar to early streamer emission (ESE) terminals, lightning protection devices designed to emit an upward electrical streamer earlier than conventional air terminal, extend the protective radius around the skyscraper, ensuring strikes are captured and dissipated in a controlled manner.
This engineering allows the Burj Khalifa to “defy” lightning in practical terms, turning a potentially hazardous event into a largely harmless, if spectacular, light show for the city.
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