Lightning and Charge Storage

An unusual lightning flash consisting of a record 54 current surges, of which 26 were leader-return-stroke combinations, and having a total duration of 2 seconds, is described. The character of the lightning flash evidences a charge configuration of large extent, thought to consist of from 4 to 6 thunderstorm cells simultaneously active. The electric and photographic evidence indicates path lengths of approximately 9 km (30,000 ft) for the final strokes of the flash.