Latest news with #AdvancedWeatherWarningSystem
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
World's longest lightning flash: This 'megaflash' spanned 829 kilometers; here's what you need to know
Nature never fails to surprise us, and sometimes, it happens on such a huge scale that it's nearly impossible to imagine. One such exceptional moment recently made headlines again. 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo In fact, the length of the megaflash is roughly equal to stretching across multiple countries. T 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. '
Time of India
5 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
World's longest lightning megaflash recorded at 829 km, breaking previous 768 km world record
Source: WMO An extraordinary natural event has stunned scientists and meteorologists worldwide—a record-breaking lightning megaflash stretching 829 kilometres across the skies of the United States. This phenomenon, confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), occurred on October 22, 2017, during a powerful thunderstorm between Texas and Kansas City. For perspective, this lightning strike covered a distance greater than Delhi to Bhopal, making it one of the most astonishing examples of nature's power. The discovery came to light after advanced satellite data analysis revealed that extreme lightning events can occur beyond traditional expectations, highlighting the importance of monitoring and studying them. World's longest lightning Megaflash at 829 km recorded; WMO confirms The WMO officially recognised this lightning strike as the longest ever recorded, breaking the previous 768-kilometre record from April 2020 between Mississippi and Texas. The measurement carries a small ±8 km error margin, but it still marks a groundbreaking achievement in atmospheric science. This record shows how lightning can travel far beyond storm cores, highlighting its ability to extend across massive weather systems. This record-setting megaflash happened during a supercell thunderstorm, one of the most intense storm types capable of producing extreme lightning. Unlike typical cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, megaflashes travel horizontally through clouds, sometimes lasting several seconds and covering hundreds of kilometres. Such events are often called 'Bolts from the Blue' because they can strike far from where the storm visually appears, posing unexpected danger to people and infrastructure. Why are megaflashes dangerous According to the WMO, megaflashes can be deadly and highly unpredictable especially in regions where people are unprepared for long-range lightning strikes. They can cause damage to power grids, spark wildfires, or even injure or kill people caught outdoors. To reduce risks, meteorologists are working to integrate lightning detection into the Advanced Weather Warning System by 2027, aiming to deliver faster alerts to remote and vulnerable areas. Other lightning world records The megaflash is just one among several extreme lightning records: Longest lightning duration: 17.1 seconds over Uruguay and Argentina (June 2020) Most indirect lightning deaths: 469 fatalities in Dronka, Egypt (1994), caused by lightning striking oil storage tanks Most deaths from a single strike: 21 fatalities in Zimbabwe (1975), when lightning hit a single hut Role of satellite technology in lightning research The ability to detect megaflashes is relatively recent, thanks to satellite-based lightning mapping technology introduced in 2016. Before this, lightning records relied on ground-based sensors with limited coverage. With satellites, scientists now capture extreme weather events more accurately, leading to new insights into lightning behaviour. Michael Peterson from the US Severe Storms Research Centre notes that as data collection improves, more extreme lightning phenomena are expected to be recorded, helping to advance our understanding of storm dynamics and improve public safety. Also Read | Top 10 most powerful earthquakes in the world: Kamchatka Quake joins history's deadliest list
News18
5 days ago
- Climate
- News18
World's Longest Lightning Strike Shatters Record At 829km!
Last Updated: 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. view comments Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: News viral World's Longest Lightning Strike Shatters Record At 829km! Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
