World's longest lightning flash: This 'megaflash' spanned 829 kilometers; here's what you need to know
This was a rare and massive 'megaflash' that stretched across the sky farther than most flights travel. And while lightning is something we've all seen, this one shattered global records and reminded the world of the sheer power our atmosphere can unleash in a matter of seconds.
The longest flash ever recorded
Scientists have confirmed the longest lightning flash ever recorded, considering a so-called 'megaflash' that stretched an unbelievable 829 kilometres across the sky.
This happened on October 22, 2017, during a massive storm between Texas and Kansas in the United States.
The distance covered by this lightning is greater than that between Delhi and Bhopal. According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), this megaflash has officially broken the previous world record of 768 kilometres, which was set on April 29, 2020, in a separate storm between Mississippi and Texas.
Although there is a margin of error of about ±8 km, scientists stress that this doesn't take away from the significance of the record.
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In fact, the length of the megaflash is roughly equal to stretching across multiple countries.
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his extraordinary lightning event came to light during further analysis of archived data. According to WMO expert Randall Cerveny, 'Lightning can travel vast distances from the storm, which is why it's often called a 'Bolt from the Blue'." These types of lightning events, while fascinating, also carry serious risks.
The WMO has warned of the dangers mega flashes can pose
Especially in isolated regions where people may not be aware of approaching storms, the VMO has warned about it s potential dangers. To help reduce the risks, the organisation is planning to include global populations in its Advanced Weather Warning System by 2027.
This record-setting flash isn't the only incredible lightning event recorded in recent years. Another record was set for the longest lightning duration, 17.102 seconds, during a storm on June 18, 2020, over Uruguay and northern Argentina.
According to National Weather Service (NWS), NOAA, much of this new information about lightning has been made possible with the help of satellite technology introduced in 2016. As scientists are collecting more data, they're beginning to realize that these extreme events might be more common than previously thought. Michael Peterson, from the US Severe Storms Research Center, said, 'As we continue to collect data, we will likely witness even more extraordinary lightning events.
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