Evolution of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Characteristics and Storm Structure in the Spearman, Texas, Tornadic Supercells of 31 May 1990

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Abstract
On 31 May 1990, four tornadic supercell storms formed sequentially near the intersection of a dryline and an outflow boundary in the northern Texas panhandle. “Staccato” lightning flashes, which have been hypothesized to be positive ground flashes, were observed beneath the anvil of one storm during the most violent tornado that the storm produced. Evidence was found from a lightning mapping system that at least some of the staccato flashes were negative ground flashes. Although the four supercell storms on this day formed in approximately the same area, traveled over roughly the same region, and produced tornadoes and large hail, the relationship between the genesis and evolution of tornadoes and the polarity and flash rates of ground flashes varied widely, as in previous studies. The second of the supercell storms had low-precipitation supercell characteristics; the third and fourth did not. In previously studied storms, ground flash activity in low-precipitation supercell storms has always bee... Abstract On 31 May 1990, four tornadic supercell storms formed sequentially near the intersection of a dryline and an outflow boundary in the northern Texas panhandle. “Staccato” lightning flashes, which have been hypothesized to be positive ground flashes, were observed beneath the anvil of one storm during the most violent tornado that the storm produced. Evidence was found from a lightning mapping system that at least some of the staccato flashes were negative ground flashes. Although the four supercell storms on this day formed in approximately the same area, traveled over roughly the same region, and produced tornadoes and large hail, the relationship between the genesis and evolution of tornadoes and the polarity and flash rates of ground flashes varied widely, as in previous studies. The second of the supercell storms had low-precipitation supercell characteristics; the third and fourth did not. In previously studied storms, ground flash activity in low-precipitation supercell storms has always bee...

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