Cloud‐to‐ground lightning in the blizzard of ′93

Abstract

In the 48‐hour period of 06 UT March 12 to 06 UT March 14, 1993, the eastern United States experienced one of the most severe storms of the century, This winter storm produced over 59,000 cloud‐to‐ground flashes with a peak lightning rate exceeding 5,100 flashes per hour. Flash densities exceeded 0.16 flashes per km2 in an area just south of Tampa, Florida. The overall percentage of positive flashes averaged 13.1% and positive flash percentages exceeded 60% in the northern portion of the storm as it moved over northern Florida and southern Alabama and Georgia. Median peak currents for negative flashes were 30 kA and for positive flashes 52 kA. Flash density contours followed the Gulf Stream off the coast of the Carolinas. Few lightning flashes to ground were recorded north of the Carolinas.