Record broken for longest continuously shining lightning phenomenon termed as 'megaflash'
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have unveiled a new record for the longest known lightning bolt. This extraordinary event, coined "megaflash lightning," spanned an astonishing 829km, surpassing the previous record by a significant margin.
The remarkable discovery was made possible by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency's (NOAA) GOES-16 satellite, which detected the 2017 lightning event that remained undiscovered for almost a decade. The report on this new record was co-authored by Randall Cerveny, a prominent figure in the field, and others.
Megaflash lightning occurs when a horizontal lightning discharge travels an exceptionally long distance through the sky. Unlike typical lightning bolts that extend only 10 to 15km within storm cells, megaflashes can propagate horizontally over vast distances without interruption.
The causes and mechanics of megaflash lightning involve several key factors. These include the storm structure and location within the storm, the horizontal propagation of the lightning channel, the electrical environment and leader behavior, the large storm scale and longevity, and the rare occurrence and detection of these phenomena.
Randall Cerveny, the rapporteur of weather and climate extremes for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and a professor of geographical sciences at Arizona State University, is a co-author of a report in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society that documents the new lightning record. Cerveny suggests that even greater lightning extremes may exist and may be observable with additional high-quality measurements.
Understanding the mechanics of megaflash lightning is crucial because they demonstrate how lightning can travel far from the core of a storm, increasing risks to people who may not realize how distant lightning hazards can extend. Scientists continue studying these events to better understand lightning behavior and improve public safety.
References:
- Royal Meteorological Society
- National Geographic
- Science Daily
- Arizona State University
The discovery of megaflash lightning, which can travel exceptionally long distances, is a significant development in the field of environmental science. As a co-author of the report on this new record, Randall Cerveny, a professor of geographical sciences at Arizona State University, is exploring potential for even greater lightning extremes to be observed, shedding light on the weather patterns involved.
