Have you ever wondered how long a lightning flashing in the sky can be? Usually when we see lightning falling, it flashes and disappears in a few seconds and we think that it must have just gone from a nearby cloud to the ground or from cloud to cloud. But recently the world got to see a record that surprised everyone.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), an organization of the United Nations, has declared a lightning strike recorded in America as the longest lightning strike ever. This lightning strike was about 829 kilometers (515 miles) long, that is, almost as much as the distance from Paris to Venice. Imagine, this is the same distance that would take about 8-9 hours to cover by car and at least 90 minutes by plane.
Where and when was this record made?
This record was made in October 2017 when this extraordinary lightning flashed in a large storm that spread from East Texas to Kansas City in the US. The Great Plains region of America is anyway considered the world’s largest “thunderstorm hotspot”. Very large-scale storms are often formed here, which are called Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS). This amazing lightning flashed in one such storm, which surprised scientists around the world.
Even ahead of the previous record
The previous record was also made in the US. In April 2020, a lightning strike 768 kilometers (477 miles) long was recorded in parts of South America. That is, the new record is about 61 kilometers longer than the old one. Although it may have a margin of error of ±8 kilometers, it is still the largest and officially valid lightning ever.
Why is lightning dangerous?
People often consider lightning to be just a flash in the sky, but the truth is that it is one of the most dangerous natural phenomena for the earth. Every year thousands of people around the world lose their lives due to it.
For example:
- In Zimbabwe in 1975, 21 people were killed in a single stroke when they were taking shelter in a hut.
- In a town named Dronka in Egypt, in 1994, lightning set oil tanks on fire, causing burning oil to spread throughout the town and killing 469 people.
That is why WMO takes it so seriously and gives it priority in its Early Warnings for All initiative.
Role of science and technology
Earlier scientists used Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) installed on the ground to measure the length and duration of lightning. But it had its limitation, that is, it was not possible to measure very large lightning.
Now new satellite technology has made this task easier.
The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) instruments installed in the US GOES-16 and the new satellites that came after it recorded these “megaflashes”.
Europe’s Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) and China’s FY-4 Lightning Mapping Imager are also made for this purpose.
These techniques showed us how huge lightning can be and how it can spread over thousands of kilometers.
What are megaflashes?
Usually when we see lightning, it is only a few seconds long. But “megaflashes” are lightning strikes that last a very long time and travel very large distances.
- In 2020, a lightning recorded in Argentina and Uruguay lasted for more than 17 seconds.
- This new record lightning strike recorded in the US was 829 kilometers long.
Both of these incidents prove that lightning is not just a “nearby cloud” thing, but it can spread across many states and countries.
What do scientists say?
WMO scientists believe that even bigger records may come to light. As our technology improves and more data is collected, we will be able to capture even more “extreme” lightning.
Professor Randall Cerveny, a WMO expert, says:
“This record shows the incredible potential of natural forces. It is also a warning for us that we must learn to understand such dangers and protect ourselves from them in time.”
How to stay safe?
The easiest and most reliable way to avoid lightning is to take shelter in the right place.
- If lightning is close, go to a strong building.
- If there is no building, a completely closed vehicle (metal-topped car) is also a safe place.
- Never stand in an open field, hut, beach, under a tree or in an open vehicle such as a motorcycle.
Remember, lightning can strike from many kilometres away, which scientists call a “bolt from the grey”. That is, a bolt that can strike far away from the main storm.
Why is this information important?
Lightning is not just a natural phenomenon, but it:
- poses a major threat to the safety of airplanes,
- can set forest fires,
- can cause great destruction in villages and towns.
That is why organizations like the WMO keep constant records and warn people.
The result
This new record makes us understand how powerful nature is. The 829 kilometre long lightning strike recorded in the US is not only an achievement for science but it also warns us that we should always be cautious in front of nature.
With the help of new technology, we can now identify such incidents in a better way than before. In the coming times, as the data increases, we may see even more surprising records.