US EditionWMO Confirms 515-Mile Lightning Megaflash as Longest on Record
UNITED STATES, AUG 1 – The World Meteorological Organization certified a 829-kilometer lightning megaflash across five U.S. states, surpassing the previous record by 61 kilometers, based on satellite data analysis.
- A lightning megaflash lit up the sky from eastern Texas to Missouri in October 2017, setting the longest flash record at 829 kilometers.
- Researchers discovered the flash through archival satellite data, benefiting from advances in geostationary lightning measurements and satellite coverage.
- The event lasted just over 7 seconds, spanned five states, and included at least 116 cloud-to-ground strokes according to meteorological studies.
- Michael Peterson highlighted that the ability to consistently monitor lightning from geostationary satellites marked a significant breakthrough, allowing researchers to track the development of lightning activity over time in the study.
- The World Meteorological Organization certified this 2017 megaflash as the longest record, surpassing the 2020 previous record by about 61 kilometers.
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515-mile lightning flash caught from space
A jaw-dropping 515-mile lightning bolt lit up the skies from Texas to Kansas City, smashing previous records and reshaping our understanding of extreme weather. Thanks to advanced satellite tech, scientists like Randy Cerveny and Michael Peterson are uncovering the mechanics of "megaflash" lightning—rare, colossal discharges that span hundreds of miles across the sky. These massive bolts, emerging from long-lived, sprawling thunderstorm
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Total News Sources80
Leaning Left20Leaning Right6Center24Last UpdatedBias Distribution48% Center
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources are Center
48% Center
L 40%
C 48%
12%
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