Rare thundersnow -- what is it?

Mary Kinney
Updated

Thundersnow, Freezing Rain and Sleet: What's the Difference? will play after the ad

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Thundersnow, Freezing Rain and Sleet: What's the Difference?
Thundersnow, Freezing Rain and Sleet: What's the Difference?


The Midwest and Northeast have been getting their fair share of winter these past few weeks, with the Northeast getting pounded with some of biggest snowfall amounts in history -- and it's all creating some pretty amazing natural phenomena.

"Oh, yes! Yes! Yes! We got it, baby! We got it! We got it! Woo! Woo! We got it! Yes! Listen to that," exclaimed The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore.

That's what's commonly known as thundersnow -- similar to the more common thunderstorm, but with snow. AccuWeather explains it's all about instability, which is why it's so rare in the winter.

"The air near the ground needs to be warmer than the air aloft, yet cold enough to produce snow. This happens when storms intensify rapidly,"AccuWeather reports.

Thundersnow, just like thunderstorms, are associated with heavier precipitation. One study from 2002 suggested thundersnow usually coincides with about 6 or more inches of snowfall.

"The lightning at night may well appear brighter because it's reflected by the snowflakes, but the snowflakes may muffle the sound of the thunder," BBC reported.

This winter's troubles are stretching further than just snow and thundersnow. Freezing rain and sleet are also affecting the masses.

The difference between freezing rain and sleet is that freezing rain is rain when it hits the ground, while sleet is more like pellets of ice coming down.

Freezing rain freezes on any surface that's 32 degrees or colder, meaning roadways, sidewalks and more can be particularly dangerous to maneuver on.

Winter in the Northern Hemisphere ends March 19.

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