Yes. Lightning can hit water just as easily as it can on dry land.
Since water is a good electrical conductor, current from a strike can
travel far from the strike point. For this reason, swimming during a
storm or while storms are nearby is dangerous. Another reason swimming
during a storm isn't safe is because the swimmer is protruding from the
surface of the water, somewhat increasing the probability of a direct
hit from a nearby strike. If you are caught outside
during a thunderstorm, you should stay away from large bodies of water
such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Danny
Phelps' web site has a picture of lightning striking water on the
ocean.
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