Lightning is a fascinating natural phenomenon, which we only enjoy if we are somewhere safe, otherwise we are more often than not (justifiably) afraid of it. Wondering what the longest and longest-lasting lightning flash in history was? Scientists of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) came to the answer with the help of modern meteorological devices. Can you guess how long the longest flash of lightning measured?
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is for the longest lightning flash ever announced the flash of lightning that struck June 20, 2007 over Oklahoma (USA) and measured just 321 kilometers, which is almost as much as the distance from Maribor to Budapest.
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The second record holder comes from the south of France, more precisely from the Cote d'Azur (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), where there are scientists August 30, 2012 recorded the longest lightning flash.
This one lasted just 7.74 seconds, which is a remarkable figure, if we know that lightning, on average, shines on everything 0.2 seconds (he traveled horizontally just 200 kilometers)! Advanced technology enables WMO to make such precise measurements.
At the same time, he warns that when we hear thunder (lightning consists of lightning and thunder) it is the last time to retreat to safety. It is still a general estimate to get the flash distance in kilometers if divide the time from flash to thunder by three. Lightning claims many lives every year, so it is not superfluous to be careful.
More information:
public.wmo.int
