US Records Longest Single Lightning Bolt at 829km

Recent studies and satellite technology have revealed record-breaking lightning phenomena in the United States and other parts of the world. In October 2017, a single lightning flash, known as a megaflash, traveled 515 miles from eastern Texas to near Kansas City, setting the longest lightning bolt record in the U.S., certified by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This megaflash lasted 7.8 seconds and surpassed the previous record by 38 miles, highlighting the capabilities of new space-based lightning detection instruments. Meanwhile, Northern California experienced an unprecedented lightning storm with 18,833 strikes in a single day, raising wildfire risks despite wetter storm conditions. Globally, Venezuela's Catatumbo lightning is noted for its extraordinary duration and frequency, producing up to 280 flashes per hour and illuminating the region nightly for up to nine hours, making it one of Earth's most intense electrical storms. These findings underscore advances in weather monitoring and the continuing need for public safety awareness regarding lightning hazards.