I have a special interest in thunderstorms, having designed a few early warning monitors. My mother-in-law, when she sees lightning, follows the practice of her forebears, and blows out candles. People say that this is an old wives tale. Flames do not attract lightning (see, for example, the US Weather Service, which does not directly associate fire with lightning strikes). But scientists in Africa now say that flames release a stream of positive ions travelling upwards, so that Smoke Attracts Lightning. My mother-in-law's ancient wisdom seems closer to the truth than the US Weather Service. OBSERVATION: Related to this, it was once said that light attracts lightning. I wouldn't rule that out just yet.
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