Anomalous thunderstorm charge structures (ACSs), characterized by a dominant layer of positive charge in the lower mixed‐phase region, are uncommon and rarely reported outside of the Great Plains region of the United States. This study documents the kinematics, precipitation microphysics, and charge structures of two supercell thunderstorms exhibiting ACSs that were observed in the Southeastern United States. Ground‐based three‐dimensional total lightning observations, polarimetric Doppler radar observations, and environmental model analysis of these supercells presented the opportunity to evaluate conceptual models of ACS development and characteristics in an atypical parameter space. In both anomalous storms, prominent layers of positive charge were located in lower to middle mixed‐phase regions (−10°C to −30°C) of updrafts and were spatially associated with riming hydrometeor types. Simultaneously, negative charge regions were identified above the primary positive charge layers in the upper mixed‐phase and glaciated region of updrafts, collocated with graupel and small ice hydrometeors. While coarse charge structure observations were consistent with noninductive charging‐based models of anomalous storms, charge structure complexities were also observed that suggested variability in cloud microphysical conditions. Analysis of the environments in which these storms formed indicated that several parameters thought to increase mixed‐phase liquid water content in favor of anomalous charging were inconsistent with those documented in the Great Plains region. However, environmental humidity metrics were most comparable. Comparisons between these and other documented anomalous storms identified similarities in kinematic structure and microphysical conditions while motivating ongoing study of the environmental parameter space supportive of ACSs.

Understanding of the catalysts leading to the development of anomalous charge structures (ACSs) over normal charge structures (NCSs) in thunderstorms remains incomplete. A dominant layer of net positive charge in the lower to middle mixed-phase region (the layer between  0 and −  40 C) characterizes ACSs while net negative charge similarly characterizes NCSs (e.g.,

Relationships between lightning and lightning jumps and physical updraft properties are frequently observed and generally understood. However, a more intensive characterization of how lightning relates to traditional radar-based metrics of storm intensity may provide further operational utility. This study addresses the supercell storm mode because of the intrinsic relationship between a supercell’s characteristic rotating updraft–downdraft couplet, or mesocyclone, and its prolific ability to produce severe weather. Lightning and radar measurements of a diverse sample of 19 supercell thunderstorms were used to assess the conceptual model that lightning and the mesocyclone may be linked by the updraft’s role in the formation and enhancement of each. Analysis of early stages of supercell development showed that the initial lightning jump occurred prior to the time of mesocyclogenesis inferred from three methods by median values of 5–10 min. Comparison between lightning jumps and subsequent increases in mesocyclonic rotation indicated that lightning can also be used to infer or confirm imminent strengthening or reintensification of the mesocyclone. Stronger relationships emerged in supercells that exhibited more robust updrafts, in which 85% of lightning jumps were associated with at least one increase in rotation and 77% of observed increases in rotation were temporally associated with a lightning jump. Preliminary results from analysis of the relationship between lightning jumps and intensification of the low-level mesocyclone in tornadic supercells also offer motivation for the future analysis of lightning data with respect to downdraft-related processes.

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