Ask A Scientist© Environmental Earth Science Archive

 >    name         Ralph
 >    status       other
 >    age          30s

 >    Question -   What is the scientific name for lighning and thunder
 > during a snowstorm?

Dear Ralph-

   I don't believe there is any scientific name for lightning and thunder
during a snowstorm. That does happen occasionally in the wintertime, and
those events usually produce brief bursts of very heavy snow.  These storms
are usually caused by a strong surge of warm moist air flowing over a dome
of cold air at the surface. Thunderstorms may develop, but temperatures are
such that the precipitation remains all snow as it falls to the ground.

Wendell Bechtold, Meteorologist
Forecaster, National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office, St. Louis, MO
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