A new world record lightning has been recorded! A World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has established two new world records for the longest reported distance and the longest reported duration for a single lightning flash. The longest lightning flash duration is now set at more than 16 seconds in Argentina, while the longest distance is set at more than 700 km (nearly 450 miles) in Brasil!
The 700 km distance is, for example, equivalent to the distance between London, England, and Basel, Switzerland in Europe. Or in the United States, between Boston (Massachusetts) and Washington DC. That is an exceptional distance to be said at least.
A so-called ‘megafleshes’ were detected by the new lightning detection equipment onboard satellites in orbit around the Earth. A megaflash is defined as horizontal lightning discharges that reach hundreds of kilometers/miles in length.
It does happen quite often, that a (lightning) discharge in one part of the storm can trigger an electrical disturbance on the other part of the clouds, which permits the lightning channel to continue growing and traveling long distances.
Long lasting lightning discharges often happen in the mesoscale convective systems (MCS) – a large complex of storms covering hundreds of kilometers/miles. MCS clusters usually contain massive electric fields.
New records for lightning flashes
Longest duration of ligtning flash
A new world record for the longest duration of the lightning strike now goes to Argentina – a single lightning flash lasted 16.73 seconds, detected over northern Argentina on March 4th, 2019.
Longest distance for a lightning flash
The world’s longest reported distance for a single lightning flash goes to Brasil. Lightning covered a horizontal distance of around 770 kilometers (440 miles) across parts of southern Brazil on October 31st, 2018.
Here is the official quote from Professor Randall Cerveny, chief rapporteur of Weather and Climate Extremes for World Meteorological Organization:
“These are extraordinary records from single lightning flash events. Environmental extremes are living measurements of what nature is capable, as well as scientific progress in being able to make such assessments. It is likely that even greater extremes still exist, and that we will be able to observe them as lightning detection technology improves. This will provide valuable information for establishing limits to the scale of lightning—including megaflashes—for engineering, safety, and scientific concerns.”
Lightning remains a major hazard that claims numerous lives globally every year. Dangerous lightning threat awareness and safety are important for workers outside, storm spotters, or anyone who gets caught outside during severe weather. There is a basic 30-30 rule existing for your safety:
Previous lightning records
Lightning distance: the new lightning reports are more than double the previous values measured in the U.S. and France for similar world records. The previous record for the longest distance for a single lightning flash was 321 kilometers (199 miles) in Oklahoma, United States. Recorded back on June 20th, 2007.
Lightning duration: the previous record was 7.74 seconds in southern France. Measured back on August 30th, 2012. These records had been confirmed and were collected by ground-based lightning networks.
WMO also has two other lightning related records in their books:
- Direct strike: 21 people killed by a single flash of lightning as they huddled for safety in a hut in Zimbabwe in 1975.
- Indirect strike: 469 people killed in Dronka Egypt when lightning struck a set of oil tanks, causing burning oil to flood the town in 1994.
Recap – two new world records set:
- Brazil, October 31, 2018: The world’s longest reported distance for a single lightning flash. Lightning covered a horizontal distance of about 770 kilometers (440 miles) across parts of southern Brazil.
- Argentina, March 4, 2019: The longest duration for a single flash. It lasted for 16.73 seconds, developing continuously across the northern Argentina.
Official WMO statement:
WMO certifies Megaflash lightning extremes
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