This week the World Meteorological Organization certified two “megaflash” lightning records. NESDIS communications requested an animation to include GeoColor and Global Lightning imagery. This animation was distributed to and used by a number of prominent media organizations. Details and URLs for these articles are included below. (D. Smith, S. Miller, C. Seaman, R. Brummer, Y.J. Noh , CIRA, D. Lindsey, StAR, Dakota.Smith@colostate.edu , Steven.Miller@colostate.edu , Curtis.Seaman@colostate.edu , Renate.Brummer@colostate.edu , Yoo-Jeong.Noh@colostate.edu, Dan.Lindsey@noaa.gov ), Funding: GOES-R.
The Washington Post: World record 477-mile-long lightning ‘megaflash’ confirmed over U.S.; 01/31/22, https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2022/01/31/world-record-lightning-megaflash-us/
NBC News: 477-mile lightning bolt spanning 3 states set world record; 01/31/22, https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/477-mile-lightning-bolt-spanning-3-states-sets-world-record-rcna14323
CNN: Record-breaking megaflash lightning documented in North and South America; 01/31/22, https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/31/weather/lightning-megaflash-record/index.html
Axios: Scientists confirm record-breaking 17 second lightning strike; 02/01/22, https://www.axios.com/wmo-lightening-strike-records-c0ba0f58-1740-466f-b5ca-d79efaa1a95b.html
CBS News: Lightning bolt stretching 477 miles over 3 U.S. states sets world record: “Absolutely extraordinary”; 02/01/22, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lightning-477-miles-3-us-states-world-record/
BBC News: Almost 500-mile-long lightning bolt crossed three US states; 02/01/22, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60221521
Ajazeera: Lightning bolt extending across 3 US states sets global record; 02/01/22, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/1/lightning-bolt-extending-across-3-us-states-sets-global-record
New York Post: 477-mile-long lightning bolt across three states sets new megaflash record; 02/02/22, https://nypost.com/2022/02/02/477-mile-long-lightning-bolt-sets-new-megaflash-record/
Gizmodo: New ‘Megaflash Lightning’ Records Are the Definition of Extreme; 02/02/22, https://gizmodo.com/new-megaflash-lightning-records-wmo-1848466556
The Seattle Times: World record 477-mile-long lightning ‘megaflash’ confirmed over U.S.; 01/31/22, https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/world-record-477-mile-long-lightning-megaflash-confirmed-over-u-s/
Houston Chronicle: 477-mile lightning strike seen over Houston was the world’s longest ever, 01/31/22, https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-weather/amp/477-mile-lightning-strike-seen-over-Houston-was-16819935.php