Exploring The Rare Thundersnow Phenomenon: Montana’s Unique Winter Weather Event

Montana as a whole is home to some of the craziest winter conditions in the country, and with that harsh crazy weather comes some truly incredibly phenomenal sky activity!

Have you ever heard of Thundersnow? I had not either prior to this week and the reports of it happening here in Montana. Infact, I had a friend text me yesterday and she said that it was happening at her house in the heights! As soon as she Thundersnow I said I need to know more. What is that weather event and how I have never heard of?!

Well, Thundersnow is a relatively rare phenomenon it happens when a winter thunderstorm produces all that precipitation in the form of snow rather than drops of rain. The storm then develops from all those ingredients much the same as those that create thunder and lightning in a rainstorm, but when there is cold air added to the mix, rain morphs into snow.

Get our free mobile app

Who gets to see the Thundersnow the most? The Great Lakes area of the United States is where we are most likely to experience the thundersnow phenomenon. The conditions there tend to be more favorable there than in any other location on the planet. This is because of the lake-effect snow falls for a longer period. While this is still pretty unusual, with only about .07% of snow found and then to be accompanied by thunder, this is the spot to most likely have all the necessary components to create this situation.

Yet there are other regions known to report occasional thundersnow and this includes Nova Scotia, the Rocky Mountain area of Colorado, as well in early spring in Montana! Did you know you can watch LIVE lightning strikes anytime anywhere? You sure can all you have to do is click the Real Time Lighting Map and enjoy!