The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially verified the world’s longest lightning strike, covering 829 km across the Great Plains.
A massive lightning bolt that illuminated the skies from Texas to Kansas has now been confirmed as the longest ever recorded, spanning an unbelievable 829 kilometres across the Great Plains. Though this strike occurred back in October 2017, it has only recently been officially confirmed, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Thursday.
This bolt, termed a “megaflash,” surpassed the earlier record of 768 kilometres by a significant margin of 61 km. The previous record, registered in April 2020, had covered parts of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Unlike typical lightning strikes, megaflashes travel horizontally through clouds, often covering distances of several hundred kilometres. Scientists say the phenomenon is still being studied. “We are only now beginning to understand the mechanics of how and why this happens,” said Randy Cerveny from Arizona State University, who is also associated with the WMO. “It’s likely that even more extreme events exist, and we may detect them as more high-quality lightning data becomes available over time.”
The record was verified using satellite observations from NOAA’s GOES East satellite, which orbits more than 35,000 kilometres above Earth. This elevated viewpoint helps researchers observe massive lightning events that are often missed by ground-based detection systems.
In general, most lightning bolts are under 16 kilometres in length and travel vertically. However, under suitable conditions, some bolts stretch horizontally over hundreds of kilometres within thunderstorm systems—these are referred to as megaflashes. Any lightning bolt that exceeds 100 kilometres in length is classified as a megaflash.
The WMO stated that this new record not only showcases the immense force of nature but also demonstrates the advancements in lightning monitoring technology that have enabled scientists to trace and verify such extraordinary occurrences.
Lightning is generated by the accumulation and sudden release of electrical energy within storm clouds. As particles in the cloud collide, they create a charge separation—with positive charges moving upward and negative charges settling at the bottom. When the imbalance becomes excessive, an electrical current moves through the air as a sudden flash. This formidable natural force has long captivated humanity, evoking both wonder and fear. Apart from its dramatic display, lightning plays a role in preserving Earth’s electrical equilibrium and aids in nitrogen fixation in soil—an important ecological contribution essential for plant life.
