NUFORC Sighting 26385

Occurred: 2002-12-01 20:12 Local
Reported: 2002-12-02 11:30 Pacific
Duration: 1/4 second
No of observers: 2

Location: Springfield, VA, USA

Shape: Unknown

Bright Pale Blue Flash - No Sound - Street Lights Went Out

We were driving west on Keene Mill Road, approaching the intersection with Greeley Boulevard in Springfield, VA. At about 8:12 PM EST there was a bright pale blue flash which lit up the sky and area we were driving in. Everything lit up, so we could not tell which direction (if any) the light came from. It "seemed" to be either from above or that we were "within" the flash. The street lights all went out, but power to homes remained on. There was no sound. The sky was clear, slight winds (maybe 5 mph) and the temperature was around 32 degrees F. We continued driving towards home and when we got to another area of street lights, they were also out, but beginning to come back on. This area was one mile southwest of the point where we saw the flash.

NUFORC Note:

We wonder whether the event might have been caused by the explosion of one of the local transformers. We have received several such reports. PD

Posted 2002-12-23