Is there thunder and lighting with snow storms?

Answer 1

Thundersnow happens when enough rising air causes a reaction. In other words extreme vertical motion (as in a summer thunderstorm in a cumulonimbus cloud) that will cause thunder and lighting. Usually when that occurs you will have very heavy snow upwards of 2-3in per hour. However this does not occur every time it snows only in very strong snow storms and blizzards with a deepening low pressure system. Lighting can, though rarely, in the winter strike the ground so it is possible to get struck in the winter. Living in near Chicago I have experienced this several times before.

Answer 2

Yes, it's called thunder snow. I live in the high desert mountain area of Idaho (4700+ feet). We get thunder snow several times a year. This area seems to be well suited for it. We just had a thunder snow storm a few weeks ago. I posted a question about it then. Seems people in Ill. often experience it too.

Pretty cool to see. Last year we had a really spectacular thunder snow storm. Really heavy snow, right about dusk. Because the snow was so heavy the thunder was odly muffled, yet still really loud. Lightening is very strange to see when the snow is so heavy. Just kind of light up the snow, like a REALLY big flashlight, for a split second.

I love thunder snow...my favorite type of weather event.

~Garnet
Homesteading/Farming over 20 years

Answer 3

Yes, if there is enough convection you can get thunder and lightning. During the Blizzard of '78, there was a period of
"Thunder Snow". Not a common event but certainly possible

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Yes, thunderstorms can and do produce snow.

Answer 6

yes but its rare