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Mystery object zooming over Washington DC sparks panic as agency scrambles to explain anomaly
A mysterious streak appeared on weather radar over Washington DC on Thursday, sparking theories of weather modification or visitors from another planet.
The anomaly, visible on radar loops, was shared online by Kari Lake, a special advisor to the US Agency for Global Media, who asked: 'Anyone know what is shooting across the radar over Washington DC around 3:30pm?'
That was around the time a severe thunderstorm rolled into the area, unleashing heavy rains, damaging wind gusts and lightning, which lasted for about one hour.
The radar tracked the weather system affecting the region, and a distinct, linear streak moved across the screen. It was not a typical weather pattern, like rain, snow, or hail, which would have appeared more scattered.
While baffling, a meteorologist who works for a weather radar agency chimed in to ease the confusion that was spreading online.
Matthew Cappucci, senior meteorologist at the app Lake used, explained that the strange line or streak on the radar was not caused by weather or anything unusual.
Instead, it was likely caused by something physical, like a water tower or a cell tower, located east of the radar station near Dulles Airport.
These structures can block or reflect the radar's signals, creating a false image on the radar screen. This is a common problem with radar systems.
'That can cause a bit of the emitted radar beam to bounce back to radar/cause a spurious signal,' Cappucci said.
He added that these types of artifacts are quite common on weather radar. You might also notice things like ground clutter or super refraction.
'Occasionally, we can even detect birds, butterflies, planes, and meteors!' the meteorologist shared.
But not everyone is convinced, as one X user commented: 'Sounds like something a meteorologist would say….if they were CIA!!!'
However, Lake appeared satisfied with the explanation and thanked Cappucci.
The destructive storm toppled trees that crushed cars and houses while cutting power to numerous neighborhoods.
More than 15,000 Dominion Energy customers, mostly in Fairfax County, were without power as of noon Friday. Arlington County and Alexandria were also hit hard.
More than 3,000 Pepco customers in Montgomery County were without power, along with 455 in Prince George's County and over 870 in Washington DC.
Crews are working around the clock to restore service, according to Pepco.
Wind gusts reached 61 mph at Washington Reagan National Airport and 66 mph at Dulles International Airport as severe storms swept through the region. Multiple thunderstorm warnings were issued during the evening commute.
Despite the intense weather, no serious injuries were reported.
That was not the case in New York City, which was also hit by the massive storm.
Yassin Khalifa, 15, was struck by lightning in Central Park while enjoying a picnic with his friends.
'I leaned up against a tree, and I told them, `Oh, guys, let´s ride out the storm,´ which in hindsight might not have been the best idea,' Khalifa said.
Khalifa said he was knocked unconscious for several minutes.
Crystal Mateo, 17, told the New York Times she witnessed the scene and saw Khalifa's friends frantically calling for help and trying to revive him.
'It was scary,' she said. 'I was crying.'
Khalifa told WABC he was conscious when he was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was treated for burns on his neck and leg. Khalifa said he's expected to make a full recovery.
'Apparently, I´m pretty lucky, because my spine was directly against the tree and no nerve damage happened. So I´m like, not losing any sort of motor function,' Khalifa said. 'So I´m pretty happy about that.'
Lightning kills around 30 people a year in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Strikes, though, are usually not fatal. About 90 percent of people injured by a lightning bolt survive.
