Coverage dated July 30, 2025
515-mile-long lightning bolt that spanned 5 states is the longest on record Headline from Live Science
A lightning "megaflash" that zipped across five U.S. states has set a new record for the longest ever detected.
Live Science's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.
Reports & sources Newest first Show outlet leaning
Filter reports by outlet or headline words
8 articles, oldest first.
The Guardian
US lightning flash was longest on record at 515 miles, scientists say ↗ (opens The Guardian) Published Jul 30, 2025
The Guardian's feed description The 2017 flash, which stretched from east Texas to near Kansas City, beat the previous record by almost 50 miles
Gizmodo
Astonishing ‘Megaflash’ Sets World Record for Longest Lightning Strike ↗ (opens Gizmodo) Published Jul 30, 2025
Gizmodo's feed description The streak of lightning, detected using geostationary satellites, stretched across a mild-blowing 515 miles.
New York Post
A massive lightning ‘megaflash’ set a world record — it stretched for a whopping 515 miles ↗ (opens New York Post) Published Jul 30, 2025
New York Post's feed description A single flash of lightning that stretched across the Great Plains, from eastern Texas all the way to Kansas City, Missouri, turned out to be a staggering 515 miles long.
Latin Times
World's Longest Lightning Strike Revealed After 'MegaFlash' Spanned Over Multiple US States ↗ (opens Latin Times) Published Jul 30, 2025
Latin Times's feed description The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) certified a new record for the longest lightning strike ever documented, measuring 829 kilometers, using data collected during a thunderstorm in October
The Boston Globe
Lightning bolt sets new world record as longest flash, stretching 515 miles in southern US ↗ (opens The Boston Globe) Published Jul 30, 2025
The Boston Globe's feed description The 2017 “megaflash” beat the previous record by nearly 40 miles.
NBC News
A shocking record: Lightning bolt stretched 515 miles, crossed three states ↗ (opens NBC News) Published Jul 30, 2025
NBC News's feed description An enormous, 515-mile-long flash of lightning that crossed at least three states has been named the longest in recorded history in the world
Live Science
515-mile-long lightning bolt that spanned 5 states is the longest on record ↗ (opens Live Science) Published Jul 30, 2025
Live Science's feed description A lightning "megaflash" that zipped across five U.S. states has set a new record for the longest ever detected.
Science Alert
World's Longest Lightning Strike Crossed 515 Miles From Texas to Kansas ↗ (opens Science Alert) Published Jul 30, 2025
Science Alert's feed description A bolt of lightning that arced across the sky from Texas to Kansas in the fall of 2017 has officially smashed the record for the world's longest.
