Severe storms swept western NSW on Tuesday bringing heavy rain , strong winds and hail as well as thousands of lightning strikes. Taken near Nyngan Photo Nick Moir 24 Nov 2023
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The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) confirmed the strike stretched 829 kilometres from eastern Texas to Kansas City.

It beat the previous record by 61 kilometres.

Severe storms swept western NSW on Tuesday bringing heavy rain , strong winds and hail as well as thousands of lightning strikes. Taken near Nyngan Photo Nick Moir 24 Nov 2023
The megaflashes are spectacular, but can cause safety concerns.(Nick Moir)
The megaflash occurred in a system of complex thunderstorms, and whilst it has captivated those in the meteorological world, the WMO has warned of the safety concerns surrounding such extreme weather events.

“Lightning is both an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon and a significant danger that results in numerous fatalities globally each year,” stated WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

“The latest research underscores critical safety issues related to electrified clouds, which are capable of generating lightning that covers vast distances. This is especially concerning for the aviation industry and the potential to ignite wildfires.”

Around 100 people per year are struck by lightning in Australia, leading to between five to 10 deaths.

A megaflash storm can project lightning bolts hundreds of kilometers from their starting point, leaving people unknowingly exposed to the risk of being within the danger area.

It can unleash five to seven ground strikes on average.
“These statistics demonstrate that there is no safe location below an electrified cloud that is producing megaflashes,” Michael J. Peterson wrote in Earth Interactions in 2021.

“Current lightning safety guidance is not always sufficient to mitigate megaflash hazards.”

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