SALINA, Kan. β A lightning flash that stretched across five states has been certified by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as the longest ever recorded. Measuring approximately 515 miles in length, the megaflash extended from eastern Texas through Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri, reaching into far eastern Kansas. While the event did not pass directly over Salina, the flash was likely visible from the cityβs eastern horizon.
Salina sits about 170 miles west of Kansas City and well within the known visibility range for major lightning events. Scientists have documented that lightning flashes can be seen from distances of up to 200 miles away under the right atmospheric conditions. Residents in Salina on the night of the October 2017 storm may have seen distant flashes illuminating the sky toward the east, unaware they were witnessing part of a historic weather event.
The flash occurred within a large thunderstorm system known as a mesoscale convective system. These systems can span hundreds of miles and produce lightning patterns that last significantly longer than typical strikes. The confirmed flash was measured at 829 kilometers, breaking the previous record of 768 kilometers set in 2020, also in the Great Plains.
Satellite data from NOAAβs GOES-16 and GOES-17 were instrumental in capturing the extent of the flash. Using Geostationary Lightning Mappers, meteorologists were able to trace the full path of the lightning across the southern and central United States.
Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the WMO, emphasized the dual nature of lightning as both a scientific marvel and a public safety risk. Events like this serve as a reminder that lightning can strike or be visible well beyond the main body of a storm.
Although the megaflash occurred in 2017, it took several years for the data to be validated and officially recognized. Experts estimate the flash lasted several seconds and included dozens of individual cloud-to-ground strikes along its path.
In Kansas, where wide skies and distant horizons are the norm, large-scale lightning activity is often visible far from its source. Weather officials continue to stress that if thunder can be heard or lightning seen, it is close enough to pose a danger. People are urged to seek shelter in a substantial building or enclosed vehicle and to wait at least 30 minutes after the last observed lightning before resuming outdoor activities.