Thundersnow

[Justin McGinley]

Ok now that winter is about here for the u.s. I was wondering what causes thunder snow? I think is has to do with instability but I am wanting to go deeper into it, and also how rare is it?

 

[Chance Metz]

From what I know it happens in very strong low pressure systems. Instibilty plays a big part in it and it almost always eads to very heavy snowfall rates over 2 inches a hour. It is also common in heavy lake effect snow bands. In low pressure sysmes it normally ccurs in the backside or what some called the "comma head" of the strom. I do not know all of the technical details as to why this happens but I am sure others can clairfy that for you.

 

[rdale]

Justin - I guess a little more info is needed to fully answer your question... Thundersnow happens when the exact same ingredients for thunderrain are present -- instability, moisture, and lift. As to "rare" it certainly is less common than thunderstorms, but I doubt you'd call it a freak occurrence.

A good resource for answers already spelled out is Jeff Haby - and you'll find this with more info. Feel free to check back in if you still have questions.

http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/334/

 

[Justin McGinley]

ok guys thanks for the responses!!