World's Longest Lightning Strike Shatters Record At 829km!
A 829-km 'megaflash' lightning strike set a new world record, surpassing previous records and highlighting the dangers of extreme weather. WMO warns of potential hazards
A remarkable phenomenon in the sky has left even the most seasoned scientists astounded. This was no ordinary lightning strike, but rather the longest 'megaflash' ever recorded, stretching an impressive 829 kilometres.
For comparison, that's further than the distance between Delhi and Bhopal! This extraordinary event took place on October 22, 2017, between Texas and Kansas City in the United States of America.
A New World Record
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has officially confirmed this lightning as a world record. The megaflash stretched 829 kilometres, surpassing the previous record of 768 kilometres, which was set on April 29, 2020, between Mississippi and Texas.
While there is an error margin of ±8 km for both records, this does not diminish the significance of the achievement. To put it into perspective, an 829-kilometre lightning streak is roughly the distance across three countries.
A Sky-Tearing Storm
This astonishing megaflash occurred during a massive storm, and multiple large flashes were recorded throughout the event.
Upon further analysis, scientists realised that a previously overlooked megaflash from 2017 actually set the new world record. 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'." This phenomenon, while awe-inspiring, is also incredibly dangerous.
The Dangers Of Megaflashes
WMO has issued a warning about the potential hazards posed by such megaflashes, especially in remote areas. These lightning events can cause significant harm, and to mitigate the risks, there is a plan to integrate people from around the world into the Advanced Weather Warning System by 2027.
WMO Chief Celeste Saulo commented, 'While lightning is captivating to watch, it claims many lives globally each year."
Other Lightning-Related World Records
In addition to the megaflash record, there are several other lightning-related world records:
Longest lightning duration: 17.102 seconds, observed on June 18, 2020, over Uruguay and Argentina.
Highest number of indirect deaths: In 1994, lightning ignited oil tanks in Dronka, Egypt, resulting in 469 fatalities.
Highest number of deaths from a single strike: In 1975, lightning struck a hut in Zimbabwe, tragically killing 21 people.
Advancing Lightning Research
Since the introduction of satellite mapping for lightning in 2016, comprehensive data on lightning is still relatively new. Michael Peterson, a scientist at the US Severe Storms Research Centre, noted, 'As we continue to collect data, we will likely witness even more extraordinary lightning events."
This record-breaking megaflash highlights both the power and the unpredictability of nature. With continuous research and advancements in weather monitoring, we can better understand these extreme events and hopefully prevent the dangers associated with them in the future.
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