Spans over five states, a 515-mile-long bolt of lightning sets a new record as the longest ever documented
Longest Recorded Lightning Bolt Stuns Scientists
A 515-mile (829 km) "megaflash" has been confirmed as the longest lightning bolt ever recorded, according to a study published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society on July 31, 2020 [1][2][4][5]. This remarkable bolt occurred on October 22, 2017, spanning five states across the Great Plains: from eastern Texas through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, to near Kansas City, Missouri.
The lightning flash was part of a mesoscale convective system, a large cluster of thunderstorms common in the Great Plains, known for producing such extreme flashes [1][2][5]. The bolt traveled faster than a commercial airplane would, covering the same 515 miles in just seven seconds, a trip that typically takes about 90 minutes by plane [2][3].
The discovery and confirmation of this record bolt came after re-examining satellite data, as the bolt was initially too long to be fully measured by ground sensors in 2017 [1][5]. The study used data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's GOES-16 satellite to reconstruct the length of the lightning bolt.
The study serves as a reminder of the threat of lightning, especially the 'bolt from the gray.' This term refers to lightning that can travel many hundreds of kilometers from the main charge generating region, similar to the 'bolt from the blue' but originating from storm clouds, particularly those over hotspots such as the Great Plains [6]. Co-author Walt Lyons, president of FMA Research, emphasized the danger, stating that if lightning is within 10 km, one should go to a lightning-safe building or vehicle [7].
The discovery of this megaflash highlights the impressive advancements in new weather-monitoring technologies and underscores the potential for even greater lightning extremes [8]. The region in the central U.S. known as the Great Plains is a hotspot for these "megaflashes," alongside the La Plata basin in South America [2]. The initial spark for lightning remains a topic of contention among scientists, but the study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of these extreme weather events.
References: 1. Megaflash Lightning Stretches 829 Kilometers Across the Sky 2. Longest lightning bolt ever recorded stretches 829 km across sky 3. The Longest Lightning Bolt Ever Recorded 4. Scientists confirm longest lightning strike ever recorded 5. Longest Lightning Bolt Ever Recorded 6. Bolt from the Gray 7. Co-author of longest lightning bolt study emphasizes danger 8. Study of longest lightning bolt reveals advancements in weather monitoring
- This record-breaking lightning bolt, stretching an incredible 515 miles, serves as a testament to the advancements in environmental-science and technology, particularly in weather monitoring and satellite data analysis.
- As a hotspot for 'megaflashes', the Great Plains not only host some of the world's most extreme weather events but also act as a ripe area for scientific study, shedding light on the intricacies of lightning phenomena.
- With the increasing prevalence of travel in our modern world, it's essential to be aware of environmental hazards like lightning, especially the 'bolt from the gray', which can potentially threaten lives across vast distances.
