Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Flash Detection and Warning System for the Nevada Test Site

A cloud-to-ground lightning detection and warning system has been in operation on the Nevada Test Site (NTS) for ten years. This magnetic direction-finding system is described along with the lightning alert and warning system that was designed to protect personnel on and around the NTS. Examples of the lightning alert procedure are described and graphical summaries of flash densities are portrayed. Six warm seasons (June through September, 1993-1998) of cloud-to-ground lightning flashes are analyzed for southern Nevada. A total of 184,760 flashes were detected within the 107,520 km² analysis area for an average flash density of 0.3 fl/km²/warm season.