All phenomena
Thunder and lightning during a snowstorm, combining the drama of a thunderstorm with heavy snowfall
A blizzard boss fight with a lightning special attack -- like an ice level that suddenly unlocks the thunder spell!
The science
Strong lift in the lower atmosphere (often from frontal boundaries or lake-effect convergence) creates enough instability for charge separation within snow clouds, producing lightning despite sub-freezing temperatures.
How to spot it
Listen for muffled thunder during heavy snowfall. Lightning flashes illuminate the snow with an eerie, diffused glow. Often occurs during the heaviest snow bands of a storm.
Where
Great Lakes region of the US, the northeastern US during nor-easters, Japan's Sea of Japan coast, and parts of the UK.
Best season
Winter months (November-March), especially during intense cyclones and lake-effect events.
Famous encounter
The February 2011 Groundhog Day Blizzard produced widespread thundersnow across the Midwest, with meteorologist Jim Cantore's on-air excitement going viral.
- ▸Lightning during thundersnow is typically closer to the ground than in summer storms
- ▸Snowfall rates during thundersnow often exceed 2-4 inches per hour
- ▸Thunder is muffled by snow and usually only audible within 2-3 miles
- ▸Associated with some of the most intense nor-easters and lake-effect snowstorms