How big can a lightning actually get?

While most lightning flashes measure at 3.2 to 4.8 kilometers (2 to 3 miles) in length, some truly colossal bolts occasionally crackle above our heads.

Vertically, the extent of a flash is limited by the height of a storm cloud, or the distance from the ground to its pinnacle, which is about 20 km (12 miles) at its highest.

But horizontally, an extensive cloud system provides much more room for the heavyweights of lightning division.

In April 2020 American meteorologists recorded a megaflash that stretched from Texas to Mississippi, covering 768 km (477 miles).

According to scientists, the larger the parent cloud, the more opportunity there is for the discharge to continue propagating, hence there are likely much bigger flashes out there.

At the same time, megaflashes aren't more dangerous than regular lightning and don’t necessarily carry more energy.

Subscribe- t.me/askmenow