2 Record-Breaking , Bolts of Lightning , Occurred in 2020.br According to the World Meteorological Organization br (WMO), two new world records were set br for megaflashes of lightning in 2020. .br MSN reports that on April 20, 2020, br the world's longest single flash of lightning br was recorded across the southern United States. .br The record-breaking bolt br traveled an incredible horizontal br distance of over 477 miles. .br That distance is the equivalent of traveling br from New York City to Columbus, Ohio. .br The previous record was br recorded in Brazil back in 2018. .br That bolt registered at over 440 miles long. .br According to the WMO, another record was set br for the longest duration of a single lightning flash. .br On June 18, 2020, a single bolt was clocked br at persisting for over 17 seconds over Uruguay br and parts of northern Argentina. .br These are extraordinary records from br single lightning flash events. It is likely br that even greater extremes still exist, br and that we will be able to observe them br as lightning detection technology improves, Professor Randall Cerveny, Rapporteur of Weather br and Climate Extremes for WMO, via 'The Independent'.br These are extraordinary records from br single lightning flash events. It is likely br that even greater extremes still exist, br and that we will be able to observe them br as lightning detection technology improves, Professor Randall Cerveny, Rapporteur of Weather br and Climate Extremes for WMO, via 'The Independent'.br Lightning is a major hazard br that claims many lives every year. br The findings highlight important br public lightning safety concerns br for electrified clouds where flashes br can travel extremely large distances, Professor Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General, via 'The Independent'.br Lightning is a major hazard br that claims many lives every year.