Rare winter storms known as thundersnow bring snowfall and dramatic meteorological events, occurring in only about 7 out of every 100,000 thunderstorms.
Thundersnow storms are shockingly rare, occurring in only about 7 out of every 100,000 thunderstorms. This phenomenon is characterized by a ‘wave cyclone‘ experiencing strong upward motion, resulting in freezing temperatures and snowfall that can lead to dramatic meteorological events.
Thunderstorms are intense weather phenomena characterized by lightning, thunder, and heavy rainfall.
They form when warm, moist air rises into cold, dry air, causing the water vapor to condense into cumulus clouds.
As the storm intensifies, updrafts and downdrafts develop, leading to the formation of towering cumulonimbus clouds.
These clouds can reach heights over 10,000 meters, producing powerful winds and heavy precipitation.
The Role of Lake Effect Snow
Lake effect snowfall from cold air over warm water is a common cause of turning a typical thunderstorm into a thundersnow storm. In regions such as northwestern Europe or near the North American Great Lakes, air rises quickly when contacting relatively warm water surface temperatures. This creates favorable conditions for a storm with greater destructive potential.
Lake effect snow occurs when cold air passes over a large body of warmer water, causing the water to evaporate and create clouds.
These clouds then release precipitation in the form of snow, often resulting in significant accumulation in localized areas.
The Great Lakes, particularly Lake Erie and Lake Michigan, are prime examples of lake effect snow.
In some cases, lake effect snow can lead to heavy snowfall totals, with some areas receiving over 100 inches per year.
Synoptic Forcing and Snow and Hail
Other than lake effect snow, another standard weather system that causes thundersnow is a trough of warm air aloft (TROWAL). This inverted trough extends backward into the cold sector of a main cyclone, causing increased winter storm instability. The presence of hail and snow falling are the most essential ingredients of this winter storm phenomenon.
Frequency in Winter Storm Warnings
Despite its rarity, thundersnow is not uncommon in certain regions. However, out of roughly 100,000 thunderstorms, there are generally less than seven thundersnow storms that occur during winter months. This means that if you have experienced thundersnow, you are a member of an extremely small club.
The Dangers of Thundersnow
You don’t have to be located underneath a storm cloud to be at risk during a lightning storm. In some extreme cases, lightning has struck between 10 and 15 miles (16 and 24 km) away from their origin.
Lightning storms occur when a massive electrical discharge occurs between the clouds and the ground.
This phenomenon is caused by the buildup of electrical charges in cumulonimbus clouds, resulting in a powerful electric field.
According to the National Weather Service, lightning can reach temperatures of up to 50,000°C, five times hotter than the surface of the sun.
Lightning storms are often accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong winds.
- howstuffworks.com | Thundersnow Only Occurs in 7 of Every 100,000 Thunder Storms
