Listener Question: Snowstorm Lightning |
 Dave Thurlow, Host |
Hi, I'm Dave Thurlow and this is The Weather Notebook. Today I answer a question about snow and thunder from Bob Simon, a listener of affiliate station WPLN in Nashville, TN:
"Why do you not see lightning during a snowstorm? I don't understand that. During a rainstorm you can see lightning and thunder, during a snowstorm which of course is just colder you should be able to see lightning and thunder, but I've never seen it."
Actually, Bob, thunder snow as some call it does happen. It is certainly uncommon, but not rare. I've seen it here in New England two or three times and once in the Sierras in California. I also saw it once on The Weather Channel. You know how they send out a reporter to be at the scene of the storm. Well this time, it was a snowstorm near Boston. The guy is standing there covered with snow and lightning flashes. He just about fell down he was so excited.
Snowstorms are cold and cold air doesn't rise and create big thunderstorm clouds as readily as warm air does. That's why hot summer days are the predominant breeding days for thunder and lightning. But if there is enough energy in the atmosphere, and a lot of moisture, thunderstorm clouds can form and drop snow instead of rain when the temperatures are just below freezing.
So, Bob I hope you get a chance to witness thunder snow because it's really something special, especially at night. The way the flash of lightning reflects off of the falling snow, and the way the falling snow muffles the thunder, it's really something to see...and hear.
Thanks to everyone who calls in with their questions. Keep calling, the number is 1-888-RAIN-001. Our show is produced by Bryan Sejvar, engineered by Sean Doucette and funded by Subaru, the beauty of all wheel drive and the National Science Foundation.