A new world record for the longest lightning flash has been established. The incredible 830 km-long lightning flash occurred in a notorious storm hotspot in the United States in 2017.
Lightning is a major hazard and priority for early warnings for all.
The megaflash extended from eastern Texas to near Kansas City – equivalent to the distance between Paris and Venice. It would take a car about eight to nine hours and a commercial plane at least 90 minutes to cover that distance.
Lightning is a source of wonder but also a major hazard that claims many lives around the world every year. This particular flash was not identified in the original 2017 analysis of the storm but was discovered through a re-examination of the thunderstorm.
