how is it possible to be snowing and thundering and lightning at the same time?

Question

ok we're having the weirdest weather I have ever seen... it's like a blizzard and yet it is also thundering and lightning at the same time... how is that even possible.. I don't get it....

Answer 1

Lightening (which causes the thunder) is caused by a static electrical charge build up inside very high clouds. The static build up is caused by the collision and rubbing of small ice particles way up in the clouds. If these particles get big enough they will fall down and depending on the temperature outside will either melt into rain, or could initiate crystal formation (snow).

So you see, there is nothing about whether its rain or snow that effects the mechanism of lightning generation. The reason that it is less common in the winter is that in order to produce the very high lightning generating clouds (anvil-topped cummilonimbus [sorry if spelt wrong!]) it requires very strong updrafts - This is more likely in the summer when the hot sun beating down heats air rapidly so it shoots up fast. But there are conditions in winter that can have the same effect (like collision between warm and cold fronts).

Answer 2

Whether it rains or snows, thunder and lightning are possible. During a storm with rain, it would be warm, relative to a storm with snow, for instance. Warmer temperatures attract more instability, due to the dynamics of the atmosphere and all scientific hooey you don't need to know. But even at cold temperatures, if the atmosphere can get unstable enough, like it did yesterday, you get what's commonly called "thundersnow" and it's one of those unofficial weather terms. Sometimes it occurs in large snowstorms, nor'easters, and blizzards. It also was widely known to occur around New York City during the Blizzard of '06 back in February.

Answer 3

It's possible and cool to experience one.

The atmosphere on our level could be colder than the upper levers. In the upper levels the air is warm. Static builds up. Lightning and thunder occurs up in the clouds.

That will explain for the winds since there is a great difference in warm air and cold air
...that causes the wind
...that caused the blizzards
...that causes the snow
...that you are getting, because of the cold air,
...that causes the lightning and thunder
...that causes your freakest weather.

Answer 4

Normally, lightning and thunder are produced when there is a violent reaction with cold air and warm air colliding.
In the wintertime, those differences occur just like in the spring, but most of the time there is less of a temperature spread.
While thunder and lightning does occur occasionally, I think it usually is associated with huge snowfalls.
At least, that is how I remember the thunder two winters ago, and we had a lot of snow.

Answer 5

The same conditions that would cause a thunderstorm except that the rain falls through a cold enough layer of air to make it snow

Answer 6

Well the best way to know if it is possible is to see it with your two eyes.
but in fact it's just like if it was raining but cold the snow as no relation to the thunderstorm different then the rain ... and beleive me it is totaly normal ask any fifth grade teacher ;-)

Answer 7

no it is not that weard but it is ust science go to how science woks.com