We are expecting a big snow storm here and a friend of mine asked if it’s possible to have lightning in a blizzard, and I have no idea.
I think it would be possible, but I have never seen it.
Can anyone confirm that is indeed possible and has anyone seen ligtning is a snow storm?
Seems it is possible.
Who knew?
Yes, it is possible to experience a thunderstorm during a snowstorm.
An recent thread on this subject with a link to a much earlier discussion:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=153114
Yes I have been in one and it was weird to hear thunder and be in a snow storm.
I’ve seen it once as well. One of the most beutiful things weather can do. Muffled thunder, pink clouds and a odd feeling in the air. I was sober, I swear.
Yep, I’ve heard thunder (which means there’s lightning somewhere) several times during a snowstorm.
I recall hearing that in order for this to happen, it must be snowing a good amount (several inches per hour). I couldn’t find a cite to back this up, but in every case I’ve seen personally, it was snowing very heavily. This page says that it occurs most often when the temp is near 32ºF, but no mention of snow rates.
In Calgary there have been occasions where the weather patterns are just right for what are lovingly called Thunder Flurries. Really!!
I’ve experienced hearing the thunder only once, but I had had no idea that such a thing could happen. It was really cool to experience something so different.
I experienced this for the first time this winter (NY State). Very freaky. I think more so because a snowstorm is generally a quiet event, unlike a rainstorm. That, and the flashes were this bizarre (though beautiful) purple. We had three flashes within about three minutes, and that was it. It was a rather warm and wet snowstorm, btw.