The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) certified a new record for the longest lightning strike ever documented, measuring 829 kilometers, using data collected during a thunderstorm in October 2017. This extraordinary megaflash spanned from East Texas to near Kansas City, Missouri. The previous record, set in 2020, was 768 kilometers, meaning the new measurement surpasses it by 61 kilometers.
The development is important not just for meteorological records but also for the technological advancements enabling these measurements. Geostationary satellites, such as NOAA's GOES-16, are pivotal in continuously monitoring atmospheric events to detect such megaflashes. These tools represent considerable advancement over past technology, allowing scientists to document lightning with unprecedented accuracy and precision.
noted Michael J. Peterson from the Severe Storms Research Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology, emphasizing the significance of satellite technology in capturing these rare events.
Further analysis revealed additional features of these phenomena. Megaflashes, defined as lightning bolts extending at least 100 kilometers in length, occur in less than one percent of all thunderstorms and are linked to long-lasting, electrically active storms. These enormous discharges of electricity, involving complex cloud-to-ground interactions, illustrate the energy contained within weather systems.
The newly documented 2017 megaflash occurred over the U.S. Midwest, a region known for severe thunderstorms conducive to such phenomena. The Great Plains, in particular, is a hotspot for mesoscale convective system thunderstorms, which encourage the formation of megaflashes. This single lightning event underscores the formidable geographic and meteorological characteristics of this American region.
"It is likely that even greater extremes still exist," said Randy Cerveny, a climatologist at Arizona State University and an official reporter of extreme phenomena for the WMO. With high-quality lightning measurements becoming more commonplace, further discoveries are likely.
The revelation resulted from meticulous analysis, verifying the record-breaking event long after the storm had passed. This illustrates the potential of data collected by modern satellite technologies, paving the way for future explorations of atmospheric extremes.
In addition to providing crucial data to the scientific community, these findings serve as a reminder of nature's power and potential perils. Walt Lyons from the WMO emphasizes that buildings are the safest havens during a lightning storm, highlighting the importance of protective measures in the face of lightning dangers.
Sources: Science Alert, Folha de S.Paulo, Science News, El Peridico, Focus Online, Scientific American, Stern, T-Online, Space.com
Originally published on Latin Times
