Have you ever seen lightning during a snow storm?
By wahptb
@wahptb (188)
Canada
December 16, 2007 12:20pm CST
I was just typing a response to a discussion when I saw a flash of light throughout my apartment. I looked over at my girlfriend and she was looking around as well. I asked if she saw the light and what it was. She said yes but didn't know where it was from. 2 seconds later we heard a crash of lightning. I live in Montreal,Canada so there is already over 1 foot of snow accumulated but this is the first time I have ever seen lightning during a winter snow storm. Has anyone else ever seen lightning in winter?
2 people like this
3 responses
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
28 Dec 07
Yes, once several years back. I saw a little bit of lightning during a snow storm. I'm not counting another time though when it was more of a rain and snow mix (then again your opening text does pose the question "Has anyone else ever seen lightning in winter?"... so the second instance could be fair game).
1 person likes this
@wahptb (188)
• Canada
28 Dec 07
I asked a friend who is studying to be a meteorologist and he said it was because of warm air. Basically lightning is formed when warm air masses are rubbing together creating static. Cold air usually does not provide enough friction to create static. In my case their was a large mass of warm air that came in suddenly and rose rapidly which caused the bolt that was seen and heard in many areas of the city. A rain and snow mix like you mentioned would suggest a warmer temperature and would support that explanation as well.
@oscarbartoni (2581)
• United States
17 Dec 07
I have not seen a bolt of lightning during a snow storm but I have seen ball and chain lightning. This is static electricity that is formed in the shape of balls. sometimes there might be two or three of these balls of glowing balls close together. If you are close enough you can actually pick them up and it will not hurt you.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
5 Feb 08
We had a thundersnow here just last night. I knew we were gonna get snow but when it started lightning out with low rumbling right after. Hubby opened the door to bring some wood in and claimed it wss snowing heavy and hard. I was like....WHAT!! This was my first thundersnow. Pretty neat, I thought.
