The response characteristics of high sensitivity piezoelectric pressure transducers suitable for use in the plasma flow induced by megawatt‐level electric discharges in low density (<1 Torr) gases are described. The uniquely designed probe records the initial impingement of a large magnitude total pressure pulse (104N/m2with 30&mgr;sec duration), followed by the flow of primary interest with order‐of‐magnitude smaller signals (103N/m2for 400 &mgr;sec). Effects relating to probe and support accelerations, blast shielding and probe heating are evaluated and accounted for in a probe system with a sensitivity of 40 V/atm.