This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/547946-largest-ever-lightning-bolt-usa/

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Largest ever lightning bolt confirmed Largest ever lightning bolt confirmed
(about 3 hours later)
The lightning flash extended 477 miles across states of Texas, Louisiana and MississippiThe lightning flash extended 477 miles across states of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
A lightning flash that occurred in April 2020 has been confirmed as the world’s greatest in length, beating the record of 440.6 miles (709 km) set in 2018. The bolt extended across the US states of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.A lightning flash that occurred in April 2020 has been confirmed as the world’s greatest in length, beating the record of 440.6 miles (709 km) set in 2018. The bolt extended across the US states of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
The record-breaking bolt, measuring 477.2 miles (768 km) was confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) after a long process of checking and validating satellite data. The record-breaking bolt, measuring 477.2 miles (768 km) was confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) after a long process of checking and validating satellite data. 
Randall Cerveny of Arizona State University told New Scientist that the phenomenon is known as a “megaflash” because of its size, and that it moved from cloud to cloud rather than directing itself towards the earth. Randall Cerveny of Arizona State University told New Scientist that the phenomenon is known as a “megaflash” because of its size, and that it moved from cloud to cloud rather than directing itself towards the earth. 
The WMO also identified another lightning bolt over Uruguay and northern Argentina which lasted for 17.3 seconds – the longest duration ever recorded. The strike also took place in 2020 and beat the old record time of 16.7 seconds. The WMO also identified another lightning bolt over Uruguay and northern Argentina which lasted for 17.3 seconds – the longest duration ever recorded. The strike also took place in 2020 and beat the old record time of 16.7 seconds. 
“We now have clear proof that single lightning events can last seventeen seconds,” said Cerveny, noting that it added to an important body of knowledge on the dynamics of lightning. “We now have clear proof that single lightning events can last seventeen seconds,” said Cerveny, noting that it added to an important body of knowledge on the dynamics of lightning. 
Both the record-setting bolts occurred at thunderstorm hotspots in the Great Planes of the US and the Río de la Plata basin in South America.  Both the record-setting bolts occurred at thunderstorm hotspots in the Great Plains of the US and the Río de la Plata basin in South America. 
“These two lightning flash records are absolutely extraordinary,” Cerveny added.“These two lightning flash records are absolutely extraordinary,” Cerveny added.
The South American bolt also traveled from cloud to cloud. Cerveny said that both were several thousand feet above the ground and therefore posed no danger to human life.The South American bolt also traveled from cloud to cloud. Cerveny said that both were several thousand feet above the ground and therefore posed no danger to human life.