The longest lightning recorded was 829 kilometers, a record ray
Storm in San Sebastian, May 2, 2025.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) today confirmed that the longest lightning ever measured spread over 829 kilometers across several areas of the United States in 2017.
The meteorological phenomenon, which occurred in October of that year in a violent storm that at one point illuminated areas between Texas and Kansas, "would take a car eight or nine hours to cover that distance, and an aircraft 90 minutes, "the Organization said in a statement.
The margin of error of the calculations presented today is 8 kilometers, but in any case it exceeds the previous mark : 768 kilometers of lightning that fell in the Great Plains ofthe United States.
Until recently, it was not known that lightning could spread horizontally at great distances, but in recent years satellite measurements have taken a great step forward, and these kinds of measurements have improved.
The WMO also records the longest lasting lightning, a flash that lasted just over 17 seconds , during a storm in Argentina and Uruguay in June 2020.
The deadliest in Zimbabwe and Egypt
On the other hand, the lightning that has caused the most direct deaths in history killed21 people , in 1975 in Zimbabwe, when it struck a cabin.
Indirectly, in 1994, another in Dronka, Egypt, caused 469 deaths, the deadliest, as oil deposits burned, and then the population burned.
More weather news
Ten people have been treated in Osakidetza ER for high temperatures
Nine patients have had to be taken to hospital, and most of the cases have been in Gipuzkoa and Álava. The Department of Health recommends extreme caution, following the 2025 Heat Plan, especially in risk populations.
Not a single corner of Euskal Herria got rid of the heat today
The heat wave that the Basque Country has been experiencing for more than a week has again left temperatures above 40 ° C in 24 municipalities of the ACV. The maximum has again been recorded in Llodio (Álava), where 44 degrees have been measured.
The heat wave has left temperatures above 40 ° C again, and the maximum has been 44 ° C in Llodio
The heat wave has left temperatures above 40 ° C in 24 municipalities this Tuesday, and Euskalmet has predicted a drop in temperatures along the coast.
The whole of Euskal Herria, on orange alert for heat
The ACV is on orange heat alert, as well as Navarre and Iparralde. Euskalmet foresees temperatures of around 40 degrees inland and above 30 degrees on the coast.
The heat wave has left maximum temperatures of 40 degrees in several municipalities of the Basque Country today
Until 18:00 there have been temperatures above 30 degrees everywhere, and in many corners above 35.
The whole of the Basque Country will be on orange alert on Tuesday because of the heat
Temperatures will be around 40 degrees Celsius in the interior and 32 degrees Celsius on the coast.

The heat will not stop in the Basque Country: suffocating temperatures will continue over the next few days
The nights are expected to be tropical nights throughout the Basque Country, with temperatures not falling below 20 ° C, and in some cases they may be above the threshold for much of the morning.
The highs have reached 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the interior
This Sunday afternoon they reached 40.5 ° C in Amurrio and 40.3 ° C in Zalla and Noain, among others, while on the coast temperatures have been significantly lower.
Orange alert in Hego Euskal Herria and yellow warning in Navarre for Sunday and Monday
The alert will be from 13:00 to 20:00 in Hego Euskal Herria and until 21:00 in Navarre. In addition, highs of 39 degrees are expected in Navarre, 38 degrees on the Ebro axis and 39 degrees in Iparralde.
The windy Saturday will make room for the suffocating Sunday
Euskalmet has issued a yellow warning starting this very Friday for extreme high temperatures, which will be softer on Saturday thanks to the northwest wind.