Within the United States, thundersnow is relatively rare but most common in 'eastern Nevada and Utah, the central plains, and the Great Lake states'. ( July 2023) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. This section needs additional citations for verification. It can also occur from the lake effect or ocean effect thunderstorm which is produced by cold air passing over relatively warm water this effect commonly produces snow squalls over the Great Lakes. There are three main causes of thundersnow such as a normal snowstorm that sustains strong vertical mixing which allows for favorable conditions for lightning and thunder to occur. The heavy snowfall tends to muffle the sound of the thunder so that it sounds more like a low rumble than the loud, sharp bang that is heard during regular thunderstorms. In addition to snow, graupel or hail may fall as well. Thermodynamically, it is not different from any other type of thunderstorm, but the top of the cumulonimbus cloud is usually quite low. It typically falls in regions of strong upward motion within the cold sector of an extratropical cyclone. *This number reflects lightning injuries and fatalities that have been certified through May 2020 and are reported preliminary thereafter.Thundersnow, also known as a winter thunderstorm or a thundersnow storm, is a thunderstorm in which snow falls as the primary precipitation instead of rain. Be sure to postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are on the way.įor more, head over to our lightning safety module from NOAA’s National Weather Service. If you are planning a summertime outing, check the forecast before going out or sign up for weather alerts on-the-go. If thunder roars, seek shelter immediately. If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough to pose an immediate threat, even if the sky above you is blue. Do not wait until a thunderstorm is immediately overhead and for rain to begin to act. Myth: Lightning cannot strike in an area if it is not raining and skies are clear.įact: Not true. For example, the Empire State Building is hit about 25 times per year offsite link.ĥ. Myth: Lightning never strikes in one place twice.įact: Actually, lightning can, and often does, strike the same place repeatedly - especially if it’s a tall and isolated object. This is the most chilling of lightning myths because it could be the difference between life and death.Ĥ. If you are able to, you should give a lightning victim first aid and/or immediately call 911. The human body does not store electricity. If you touch them, you can be electrocuted.įact: Not true. Myth: Lightning victims carry an electrical charge. Remember: Trees, sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered porches will not protect you from lightning.Ģ. An enclosed building with wiring and plumbing is the safest place to be during a storm. Standing underneath or near a tree is the second most dangerous place to be during a thunderstorm the most dangerous is being outside in an open space.

Myth: A tree can act as sufficient shelter during a thunderstorm.įact: No.

What else should you know about this electrical wonder of nature? We debunk 5 popular myths with science-backed facts about this dangerous and often misunderstood phenomenon.ġ. This is why we always say, 'When thunder roars, go indoors.' One thing that is for certain: No place outside is safe during a thunderstorm. It might be cool to look at from a safe distance, but lightning kills more than 20 people each year in the United States and injures hundreds more - with some survivors suffering lifelong neurological damage.

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