A single bolt of lightning that streaked across the skies of the American Midwest has etched its name in the Guinness World Records, covering an astounding 828 kilometers in one continuous flash — the longest lightning discharge ever recorded.
This rare atmospheric phenomenon, known as a “megaflash,” occurred during a powerful thunderstorm that stretched from eastern Texas to near Kansas City, Missouri. The bolt lit up the night sky for a brief but unforgettable moment, dazzling scientists and setting a new benchmark for meteorological extremes.
To put the scale into perspective, in India, such a lightning bolt could have spanned the entire stretch from New Delhi to Bhopal, crossing multiple states in a single blinding strike.
Megaflashes are extremely rare and occur in less than 1% of all thunderstorms, typically arising from large, long-lived storm systems that span hundreds of kilometers. These extraordinary discharges are not just longer, but also last significantly longer than typical lightning bolts.
Experts from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed the record using advanced satellite imaging and lightning-mapping technology. The event has not only expanded our understanding of lightning behavior but also highlighted the increasing need for early-warning systems and climate monitoring, especially as storm systems grow more intense due to climate change.
The previous record for the longest lightning flash was 709 kilometers, recorded in Brazil in 2018 — now officially surpassed by this colossal 828-kilometer bolt.
