Latest news with #CelesteSaulo
UPI
6 days ago
- Science
- UPI
Great Plains lighting bolt spanning three states sets shocking record
1 of 2 | An image from NOAA's advanced GOES-16 satellite of the thunderstorm helped verify the record size of a megaflash lightning bolt on October 22, 2017. Photo by NOAA Aug. 5 (UPI) -- A massive lightning bolt that stretched from eastern Texas to just outside of Kansas City, Mo., has been officially recognized as the largest recorded flash by the World Meteorological Organization. The lightning bolt was generated by a major cluster of thunderstorms that swept over the Great Plains on Oct. 22, 2017, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Monday. Researchers used advanced satellite technology to capture the flash's enormous span, and they hope it will help them better understand how lightning affects people. Despite the bolt having a horizontal distance of 515 miles, it was not identified in the original analysis of the thunderstorm and researchers took note of it during a recent re-examination, according to NOAA. The World Meteorological Organization's Committee on Weather and Climate Extremes used NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, the most advanced satellite technology available, to verify the length of the flash and recognize it as a new record, according to a press release from the organization. Researchers had previously used data collected by ground-based technology to measure lightning flashes, according to the press release. The use of satellite technology allowed researchers to observe a larger area. "Over time as the data record continues to expand, we will be able to observe even the rarest types of extreme lightning on Earth and investigate the broad impacts of lightning on society," Michael J. Peterson, a researcher at the Georgia Institute of Technology's Severe Storms Research Center and member of the committee, said in the press release. The lightning bolt's length is about the same distance between Paris, France, and Venice, Italy, according to the World Meteorological Organization. It would take about eight to nine hours to cover the same distance by car and about 90 minutes for a commercial plane. The previous record was for a lightning bolt that spanned 477 miles across parts of the southern U.S. on April 29, 2020. The Great Plains region is known for its large thunderstorms that also give rise to lightning "megaflashes" that extend over expansive distances or have longer durations. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said in a statement that while "lightning is a source of wonder," it is also a deadly hazard. "These new findings highlight important public safety concerns about electrified clouds which can produce flashes which travel extremely large distances and have a major impact on the aviation sector and can spark wildfires," Saulo said.
News18
01-08-2025
- 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.
Economic Times
01-08-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
Scientists uncover a sky monster; lightning megaflash so massive it spanned hundreds of miles and 5 US states
TIL Creatives The incredible bolt stretched from Texas to near Kansas City in 2017, but took years to confirm due to the complexities of satellite data and evolving lightning science. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed a new world record for the longest single lightning flash ever recorded, an astonishing 829 kilometers (515 miles). This 'megaflash' lit up the sky during a powerful thunderstorm on 22 October 2017, spanning from eastern Texas to near Kansas City, Missouri. That's roughly the distance between Paris and Venice, and more equivalent to Toronto to New lightning event was so vast that it would take a car around 8–9 hours to cover that route on the ground, or a commercial airplane about 90 minutes in the sky. Also Read: Not Big Bang, new theory uses 'Gravity' and 'Quantum Physics' to explain the universe's birthWhile the lightning occurred in 2017, it wasn't until 2025 that it was officially recognized as the longest-ever lightning flash recorded. So, why the delay? The answer lies in technology and data analysis. At the time, scientists didn't have the tools or processing power to detect such a massive lightning flash. It was only after a re-examination of satellite data from the storm, using more advanced methods, that the enormous scale of the flash was finally revealed. The record was published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Traditionally, ground-based systems like the Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) were used to track lightning. These systems have limitations; they can only "see" lightning within a certain distance. That means extra-long lightning flashes could be missed or only partially WMO press release said that the breakthrough came with the launch of GOES-16, a US weather satellite equipped with Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) technology. It offers a bird's-eye view of thunderstorms over large areas. GOES-16, along with newer satellites like GOES-17, 18, and 19, made it possible to detect the full extent of the 2017 megaflash. The WMO says this record isn't just about numbers it highlights real safety risks. Lightning can strike far from where a storm seems to rare 'megaflashes' can travel hundreds of kilometers away from the main thundercloud, potentially affecting aircraft, starting wildfires, or catching people off guard.'Lightning is a source of wonder but also a major hazard that claims many lives around the world every year,' said Celeste Saulo, WMO WMO keeps an official archive of lightning extremes. Here are a few records: Longest-lasting lightning flash: 17.1 seconds, recorded over Uruguay and Argentina in 2020. Most people killed by one strike: 21 people in a hut in Zimbabwe in 1975. Deadliest indirect strike: 469 people died in Dronka, Egypt, in 1994 after lightning struck oil tanks, causing a deadly fire. Scientists believe even longer lightning flashes could exist. As satellite technology improves and data grows, more megaflashes may become apparent.'Extreme lightning events push the limits of what we can observe,' said Michael Peterson, lead author of the WMO evaluation and lightning researcher at Georgia Tech, in the press release.'With better tools and more data, we're just beginning to understand the full power of these natural phenomena.'Experts warn that the only truly safe places during a thunderstorm are inside buildings with plumbing and wiring or in metal-roofed vehicles. Tents, sheds, open beaches, and motorcycles offer no protection.
NZ Herald
31-07-2025
- Science
- NZ Herald
Megaflash: Longest lightning strike ever recorded spanned 829km
'These new findings highlight important public safety concerns about electrified clouds which can produce flashes which travel extremely large distances and have a major impact on the aviation sector and can spark wildfires,' Celeste Saulo, the secretary general for the World Meteorological Organization, said in a statement about the discovery. Lightning specialists are calling the episode a 'megaflash', noted for its exceptional duration and size. They can occur in sprawling storm clusters and complexes that have horizontally expansive areas of electric charge. Most thunderstorms are fewer than 10 miles (16km) tall, so to get a megaflash, you'd need a long or wide thunderstorm complex. A satellite image depicting the flash. Photo / American Meteorological Society The WMO's committee on weather and climate extremes used data from the GOES 16, 17, 18 and 19 satellites, positioned some 22,236 miles (35,785km) above Earth's surface, to map the origin of the flash. Each satellite has the ability to sense lightning discharges from above, even if they don't strike the ground. That data was then merged with ground-based lightning strike data from the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network. It was found that the same ultra-expansive flash also produced 64 bolts that struck the ground. 'The extremes of what lightning is capable of is difficult to study because it pushes the boundaries of what we can practically observe,' said evaluation committee member Michael J. Peterson, a researcher at the Georgia Tech. Adding observations from satellites was the final piece of the puzzle, he noted. Megaflashes are also known to be long in duration. On June 18, 2020, an enormous bolt spent a total of 17.1 seconds discharging over Uruguay and northern Argentina. 'The duration of this flash was over seven seconds,' Randy Cerveny, a researcher and professor at Arizona State, said in an email. Megaflash research helps scientists understand how geographically expansive lightning hazards can be, particularly since flashes can evidently travel far distances from the initial region in the cloud containing charge. Scientists have coined a term – 'bolt from the grey'. 'This type of lightning event, a mega flash, typifies the kind of flash that appears to come from 'clear skies,'' Cerveny added. But, as with all lightning, it 'actually does come from a thunderstorm ... from a very great distance. These mega flashes can travel immense distances from their origin point'. In its new announcement, the WMO also referenced two other lightning records – both for fatality counts from single strikes. In 1975, 21 people in Zimbabwe were killed by a bolt as they huddled inside a hut for safety. And in 1994, 469 people were killed in Dronka, Egypt when lighting struck a set of oil tanks, sparking a fire and causing burning oil to flood the town. Matthew Cappucci is a meteorologist for Capital Weather Gang and has contributed to The Washington Post since he was 18.
Daily Mail
31-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Longest lightning bolt on record stretches 515 miles across US
It's one of the most powerful natural phenomena that occurs on Earth. Now, scientists have recorded the longest lightning bolt in history. The record–breaking 'megaflash' took place during a major thunderstorm back in October 2017. It extended 515 miles from eastern Texas to near Kansas City – 38 miles longer than the previous record. To put that into perspective, that's about twice the length of the Grand Canyon, or the equivalent of the distance between Paris and Venice. If you were to cover 515 miles in a car, you'd be facing a nine-hour drive, while a flight would take at least 90 minutes, experts say. Researchers from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) hope the discovery will highlight just how far lightning can reach from its parent storm. 'Lightning is a source of wonder but also a major hazard that claims many lives around the world every year and is therefore one of the priorities for the international Early Warnings for All initiative,' said Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General. 'These new findings highlight important public safety concerns about electrified clouds which can produce flashes which travel extremely large distances and have a major impact on the aviation sector and can spark wildfires.' For years, lightning detection and measurement has relied on ground-based stations. However, satellite-borne lightning detectors in orbit since 2017 have now made it possible to continuously detect and measure lightning at continental-scale distances. 'The extremes of what lightning is capable of is difficult to study because it pushes the boundaries of what we can practically observe,' said Michael J. Peterson, lead author from the Georgia Institute of Technology. 'Adding continuous measurements from geostationary orbit was a major advance. 'We are now at a point where most of the global megaflash hotspots are covered by a geostationary satellite, and data processing techniques have improved to properly represent flashes in the vast quantity of observational data at all scales. 'Over time as the data record continues to expand, we will be able to observe even the rarest types of extreme lightning on Earth and investigate the broad impacts of lightning on society.' The record-breaking megaflash surpasses the previous record set by a lightning strike during an April 2020 storm , which reached 477 miles across the southern US. 'This new record clearly demonstrates the incredible power of the natural environment,' said Professor Randall Cerveny, rapporteur of Weather and Climate Extremes for WMO. 'Additionally, WMO assessment of environmental extremes such as this lightning distance record testify to the significant scientific progress in observing, documenting and evaluating such events. 'It is likely that even greater extremes still exist, and that we will be able to observe them as additional high-quality lightning measurements accumulate over time.' Most lightning flashes reach less than 10-miles long. However, anything longer than 60 miles is considered a 'megaflash'. Megaflashes arise from long-lasting storms, which typically brew for 14 hours or more, and cover an enormous area. Beyond the October 2017 megaflash, several other record-breaking lightning strikes have hit the headlines over the years. The greatest duration for a single lightning flash of 17.1 seconds was set during a thunderstorm over Uruguay and northern Argentina on 18 June 2020. Meanwhile, the worst direct strike saw 21 people killed by a single flash of lightning in Zimbabwe in 1975. What's more, a staggering 469 people were in killed by an indirect strike in Dronka, Egypt, in 1994, when lightning struck a set of oil tanks, causing burning oil to flood the town. The researchers hope the findings will highlight the fact that lightning is capable of travelling many hundreds of miles from the source. 'The only lightning-safe locations are substantial buildings that have wiring and plumbing; not structures such as at a beach or bus stop,' said lightning specialist, Walt Lyons.
