Why doesn't it thunder when it snows?

Answer 1

It's hard to get a thunderstorm when it snows because thunderstorms need it to be unstable when they form. Unstable air is when there is cold air above warm air. 90% of the time when it snows there is a "warm layer" (which isn't above freezing) in the middle levels of the troposphere that stops any kind of development if a trough moves through. But cold fronts can sometimes be so unstable that it will pop out thunderstorms with sub-freezing temperatures, making "thundersnow" or "snow-nadoes" and also, but extremely rare, thunderstorms with freezing rain.

Answer 2

Have to agree with the first answer because I have heard the same. We have thunderstorms in the middle of winter with cold weather during some years and have had a combination of precipitations at the same time.
Did a Yahoo Search and came up with this answer. Bejing China had thunder snow on approx Nov 5-7, 2003. Do a Yahoo Search on thundersnow/thunder snow.

Answer 3

It does thunder when it snows. It's called a thundersnow. It's pretty rare, but it does in fact happen. It includes the typical behavior of a thunderstorm, but with snow falling as the primary precipitation. Thundersnow is more common with lake effect snow in the Great Lakes area of the United States and Canada, the midwestern U.S.

In fact, Buffalo NY was hit by thundersnow on October 12th-13th 2006. The storm caused extensive damage to the city. The two feet of heavy snow broke tree limbs in half, and tore down many power lines. It missed where I live, but it was a wintery surprise for Buffalo residents.

Answer 4

It depends on the dynamics of the snow-storm. In the east, storms that re-develop in the Atlantic after pushing across the country often develop thunderstorms in regions with snow due to the turbulence of the mixing of cold air from the north and warm moist air from the south.

Answer 5

because snow isnt cool enough

Answer 6

Sometimes it does. I've heard it myself.

Answer 7

it does quite rare but it does sweetheart