Astonishing ‘Megaflash’ Sets World Record for Longest Lightning Strike

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has recognized a record-breaking "megaflash" lightning strike that spanned 515 miles across southern Brazil in 2018. This astonishing display of nature's power was detected using geostationary satellites, which allowed for precise measurement of the lightning's extent. The previous record for the longest lightning strike was held by a 2007 flash in the United States, which covered a distance of 199.5 miles. The newly recorded megaflash, however, has shattered this record, stretching an incredible 515 miles across the skies of southern Brazil. This remarkable discovery highlights the ongoing advancement in satellite technology and its ability to capture and analyze extreme weather events with unprecedented accuracy. The WMO's recognition of this record-breaking lightning strike underscores the importance of continued research and monitoring to better understand the complexities of our planet's atmospheric processes.