US Sets New Distance Record for Mega-Lightning, with a Staggering 829 Kilometers Detected
Record-Breaking Megablitz Stuns Scientists
Megablitzes, a rare type of lightning event, have captured the attention of meteorologists and scientists once again. On October 22, 2017, a megablitz was recorded that stretched an astonishing 829 kilometers, surpassing the previous record of 768 kilometers set in 2020.
This extraordinary event occurred over the Great Plains, one of two regions where megablitzes are known to occur. The other region is the La Plata River basin in South America.
New satellite technologies, such as the American Geostationary Lightning Mapper, the European Meteosat Third Generation, and the Chinese Y-4 Lightning Mapping Imager, have aided in tracking these rare phenomena. The record-breaking flash was only recently discovered during a reanalysis of satellite data.
Megablitzes are characterized by a single continuous lightning flash that can extend over a very large distance. They occur when a lightning discharge propagates through an extended region of storm clouds, involving a sequence of connected lightning strokes traveling across the sky.
These events are typically associated with large and intense thunderstorms with extensive stratiform cloud regions. Such conditions can cover areas the size of an American state. Megablitzes are relatively rare, making them notable meteorological phenomena.
It's important to note that during a storm, it's safest to be in a sturdy building with electrical and water systems or in a closed vehicle. Standing under a tree during a storm is the worst idea.
In other news, the World Meteorological Organization has confirmed the record-breaking length of the lightning. Meanwhile, in the world of entertainment, Black Aly has been cast for a role in "House of the Dragon" based on George R.R. Martin's book.
Interestingly, Mark Zuckerberg has predicted that people without smart glasses may struggle in the future. In the realm of popular culture, Jason Momoa shaved for the first time in six years for "Dune 3", but is not happy about it. Approximately 240,000 people are affected by lightning each year, with around 10% of these cases resulting in death.
Environmental scientists are intrigued by the record-breaking megablitz, as it sheds new light on the behavior of weather phenomena in extreme conditions. This event, in particular, could provide valuable insights into the scientific understanding of environmental-science related to lightning events.
