Did you hear the news or experience the crazy phenomenon firsthand? No, we aren’t talking about the fact that 2020 is FINALLY coming to a close (cue the “Hallelujah Chorus”), but rather the incredible and rare weather phenomenon that is referred to as “thundersnow.” As you may have already guessed, thundersnow is exactly what it sounds like and actually happened this week in Colorado.

Also known as a winter thunderstorm or thundersnowstorm, thundersnow is described as a thunderstorm that occurs when snow is the primary precipitation versus rain.
andreusK/iStock/Getty Images Plus
I'm no scientist, but even I was able to guess what thundersnow is!
Like common summertime thunderstorms with thunder and lightning, thundersnow is virtually the same (minus the obvious snow vs. rain). Still, it often goes unnoticed, as heavy snow and thick cloud-cover can be sound-dampening, making it all-the-more surprising to experience.
panaramka/iStock/Getty Images Plus
How does thundersnow occur? Like summertime storms, thundersnow is caused by different temperatures coming together and creating instability, such as warm and moist air rising toward cooler air overhead.
JWIZMAN96/Wikimedia Commons

Related Stories

Best Waterfalls In Colorado: 12 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems

Best Waterfalls In Colorado: 12 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems

 5 Waterfront Retreats In Colorado That Are Perfect For Warm Weather Adventures

5 Waterfront Retreats In Colorado That Are Perfect For Warm Weather Adventures

 The Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Colorado Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure

The Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Colorado Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure
As a rule, thundersnow is more common in the Great Lakes area, midwest, and the Great Salt Lake, but it can still occur in places like Colorado, as demonstrated by this week's storm. 
Oleh_Slobodeniuk/iStock/Getty Images Plus
While the Great Lakes' thundersnow storms typically occur due to warm air colliding with cool air, there are other ways this phenomenon can happen, including if a heavy synoptic snowstorm sustains its strength (which allows for thunder and lightning) or if a regular thunderstorm sits along the edge of a cold or warm front which can form a winter environment.
Yuri_Arcurs/E+/Getty Images
To witness thundersnow for yourself, check out this video of Colorado's recent storm, courtesy of 9News:
Martin Gstoehl/EyeEm/Getty Images

Have you seen (or heard) this phenomenon for yourself? Tell us about it in the comments! For even more Only in Colorado wintertime fun, check out this article.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Colorado, USA