A powerful winter storm sweeping into northern Michigan may trigger one of the rarest weather events on Earth: thundersnow. Forecasters with the National Weather Service said colder air, deep moisture, and storm instability are lining up in a way that could produce loud rumbles and flashes of lightning during periods of heavy snowfall over the next couple of days. While the phenomenon is famous among weather enthusiasts, it remains uncommon and can intensify dangerous travel conditions across the region.
Meteorologists note that thundersnow is essentially a thunderstorm that drops snow instead of rain. Although it has gained pop-culture attention through viral moments featuring Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore, the event still occurs infrequently — even in regions known for severe winter weather. When it does form, it often signals intense snowfall rates, rapidly deteriorating visibility, and a heightened risk to anyone caught outdoors.
What makes thundersnow so rare
Thundersnow requires a very specific set of ingredients. The atmosphere must contain warm, moist air near the surface, overlain by colder air aloft. This setup helps produce limited convection — the rising motion of air that fuels thunderstorms. Convection is common in spring and summer systems but is seldom strong enough in the winter to trigger lightning.
When the lift is strong and moisture is abundant, snowflakes and sleet pellets high in the cloud layer begin to collide. These collisions generate electrical charges identical to those seen in warm-season storms. Once enough static charge builds, lightning forms, and thunder follows.
Meteorologist Grant Gilmore has explained that snow may muffle the sound of thunder, but lightning remains fully visible when it strikes. A study referenced by forecasters found that lightning during a snowstorm often correlates with at least six inches of accumulation, underscoring just how intense these events can become.
How thundersnow typically forms in northern states
Although still unusual, thundersnow is most often recorded around large inland lakes, especially during lake-effect snow events. When cold air sweeps over relatively warm lake water, deep bands of rising air can form, providing the instability needed for lightning.
The National Severe Storms Laboratory notes that the Great Lakes and Utah’s Great Salt Lake are two of the most common locations in the United States where thundersnow develops during strong outbreaks.
Northern Michigan fits this pattern well. The approaching storm is expected to interact with lake moisture at a time when temperature differences between the air and water are sharp, increasing the likelihood of convective snow bands capable of producing lightning.
Dangers associated with winter lightning
Despite its rarity, thundersnow poses the same hazards as any thunder-producing storm. Lightning remains just as dangerous in winter as in summer, even if heavy snowfall creates less dramatic thunder.
Jack Williams, founding editor of USA TODAY’s weather page, previously warned that people often forget lightning safety rules during snowstorms because the environment feels calmer or quieter. But the presence of thunder means lightning is nearby, and stepping outside to watch the spectacle can be deadly.
Historical incidents underscore the risk:
- Two men were struck by lightning during separate snowstorms in Minnesota and Colorado in 1996
- Four teenagers in Maine were hit while sledding during a 2002 winter storm
These cases illustrate that lightning safety matters year-round, regardless of temperature or precipitation type.
What residents should expect from the upcoming storm
With thundersnow possible, residents should prepare for sudden whiteout conditions, intense snowfall bursts, and roads that become hazardous with little warning. Travel disruptions are likely if convective snow bands set up near highways or populated areas.
The National Weather Service continues to monitor developing conditions and will update forecasts as the system evolves.
Anyone needing to be outdoors should remember this simple guideline: if you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike. Staying inside and away from windows remains the safest choice until the storm passes.
Community reminder
Have you ever experienced thundersnow or seen lightning during a winter storm? Share your story in the comments below.
