What is Thundersnow and What Causes it to Happen?

What Is Thundersnow?

Thundersnow is basically a winter thunderstorm, but with the precipitation being snow instead of rain. A thunderstorm is a rare event. However, thundersnow is most commonly found in Utah, eastern Nevada, the Great Lake states, and the central plains. It can also sometimes be seen in the Northeastern United States, especially in New York and New England.

Now for something a bit off-topic, but something you will probably want to know about…ice thunder.

What Is Ice Thunder?

Ice thunder isn’t the same as thundersnow. Ice thunder is simply another name for sleet or freezing rain that occurs during a thunderstorm.

OK, back to the topic at hand…thundersnow.

How Does Thundersnow Happen? What Causes It?

Here is something most people don’t realize. Thundersnow happens when thunder and lightning occur during a snowstorm. When this happens, it usually results in bringing heavier accumulations to the affected area. Some studies show that about 86% of thundersnow events resulted in a winter storm that brought more than six inches of snow within 24 hours.

OK, but what causes thundersnow?

Thundersnow is caused by warm air being pulled into a snowstorm. This causes the storm system to be more convective. And this results in instability. The turbulent winds contained within the storm cause the ice crystals to mix, and the output is thundersnow.

The Old Wives Tale

Have you heard the old wives' tale about thunder in the winter? The saying goes like this: “Thunder in winter means there will be snow in seven days.” Is this true? Well, sort of. The pros will tell you that thunder in the wintertime is a good indication that there is a cold weather front coming. And that usually means loads of snow is on the way. Great Lakes Snow can help you with that.

Is Thundersnow Dangerous?

Well, you probably don’t want to hear this. But when you have a snowstorm and a thunderstorm at the same time, you now have twice the risk. Isn’t that nice?

And if that weren’t enough, since snowfall muffles the sound, people might not be able to hear the thunder enough to realize that danger is nearby. There are loads of reports of people being struck by lightning while outside during a thundersnow storm.

Therefore, if you hear thunder, even in the winter, you are probably within 1–2 miles of a lightning strike. So just remember the old saying “When the thunder roars, go indoors.” That’s easy enough, isn’t it?

Can Thundersnow Happen in Chicago, IL?

Yes, thundersnow can happen in Chicago, IL. But not very often. However, even as rare as thundersnow in Chicago is, Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel was in Chicago (2024) when a thunderstorm hit during his live shot and his reaction was priceless. Talk about rare!

Is There Lightning in a Thundersnow Storm?

Yes, lightning can occur during a thundersnow storm. Thunderstorms are usually fueled by atmospheric instability. This is due to the presence of moisture and heat in the atmosphere. That’s why lightning is more common during the warmer months. However, lightning is also possible in the colder months as well when strong storms that create atmospheric instability are present.



Does all that snow cause you to stress? If you’re like most business owners, you answered yes. So why not hire a professional to handle all that snow and ice for you?

Should You Hire a Professional Snow Removal Company?

One of the reasons business owners put off hiring a professional snow removal company is the cost. But you might be surprised to know that snow removal costs in Chicagoland are very affordable. Not to mention that it becomes priceless if someone was to get hurt on your property.

There are many ways all that snow could cause damage to your property or easily cause accidents and injuries that could have been avoided if you had a professional take that snow and ice removal burden off you.

Snow removal companies offer other beneficial services as well. They typically offer shoveling, plowing, ice removal services, weather monitoring, and quick removal services after a winter weather event. And this is what helps prevent accidents, injuries, and property damage.

The Benefits of Using a Professional Snow and Ice Removal Company

• Saves you time and money.
• Helps avoid slip and fall injuries.
• Reduces liability.
• Creates a safer place of business for your team and your customers.
• Helps maintain your winter curb appeal.
• Reduces snow and ice damage to your property.

• It’s more reliable than counting on an employee to do it.
• A trained professional will ensure the job is done right.
• Ensures you are compliant with local snow and ice removal laws.
• Save yourself the sunk-cost and money of DIY'ing your snow removal.
• Never worry about buying equipment or supplies.
• And more!

Fun Fact: How many inches of snow does it take to get one inch of rain?

It takes about 13 inches of snow to equal one inch of rain. But that’s not a hard-fast rule. This number can vary from two inches to about 50 inches when sleet is involved or if the snow is extremely dry or powdery. And, of course, just like anything else, other variables can make this number fluctuate as well.

What’s Next?

If thinking about snow removal is keeping you up at night, why not consider hiring a professional to do it for you? Businesses in Chicagoland have a responsibility to keep everyone who enters their property safe. Contact Great Lakes Snow today. We have a dedicated team of highly trained professionals, state-of-the-art equipment, and plenty of supplies to ensure your commercial property is treated quickly and effectively for any winter weather event. And we are certified snow and ice professionals (SMIA).