Thundersnow is a rare weather phenomenon: a winter thunderstorm or thundersnow storm. Learn all about what conditions cause it to form, where it occurs most often, what it sounds like, and more.
Thundersnow definition
Thundersnow is a thunderstorm that occurs with snow falling as its primary precipitation as opposed to rain, according to Wikipedia. Essentially, it is a winter thunderstorm. It typically occurs in regions where there is strong upward motion within the cold sector of an extratropical cyclone.
How does Thundersnow occur?
The most common way Thundersnow develops is when warm, moist air, close to the ground or from a body of water, mixes with colder air that’s up higher. According to the New York Times, the combination of the warm air moving up and the cold air moving down can cause friction resulting in thunder and lightning.
Thundersnow frequently occurs over bodies of water, particularly the Great Lakes. Thundersnow is triggered when the cold air blows across the mild temperatures of the water, forcing a rapid updraft of warmer air into the clouds, resulting in lightning and thunder in conjunction with heavy snow, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
Where does Thundersnow occur most frequently?
The geographic area that frequently experiences Thundersnow is the Great Lakes region over the US and Canada.
Thundersnow also occurs commonly along the East Coast, particularly when a nor’easter moves into the region on the heels of a warmer front. It sometimes occurs in the Midwest, particularly in Oklahoma and farther west over the Great Salt Lake.
What does Thundersnow sound like?
Of course, we could use many words to describe the sound, and many would be the same words as we used to describe thunder and lightning. But the best definition will come from your ears. Check out this CNN video with the sounds of Thundersnow.
