Big Blackout of 2003

August 19, 2003

Blackout

Provided by:

  • Air Force Weather Agency, Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
    Summary authors & editors: Mark Conner

    About 4:15 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on August 14, a major power "blackout" occurred in portions of the northeastern and Mid-Western U.S -- the largest power outage ever in both the U.S. and Canada. While New York City regained power the next day, several cities and towns were without lights and other electrical services for more than 48 hours. The Air Force's Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) utilized a low-light sensor, capable of observing city lights at night when clear skies prevail, to capture the above photos. The photo at top is from the evening of the 13th (9:21 p.m.) and shows the northeast corridor aglow (normal power), whereas the bottom photo was taken approximately 24 hours later and shows a considerably dimmer view of the same area. Note the dramatic reduction of light coming from cities such as New York, Toronto, Ottawa, and the Long Island area. Thanks to Mark Conner of the Meteorological Satellite Applications Branch, Air Force Weather Agency, for providing this image.

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