Thunder and Lighting

[margaret124]

This morning while it was snowing quite heavily, there was also Thunder and Lighting. I have never experienced this while it has been snowing can anyone tell me why this would happen, I thought it would be so while it was raining.

[CT]

Lightning is created by hailstones. Even in the summer the thunder clouds extend high in to the sky. Updrafts inside the storm cycle water particles up to the top of the cloud where temperatures are below freezing. Once in solid form, collisions betwwen the hailstones knock electrons off the water molcules. This gives the top of the cloud a positive charge. The difference in the charge between the top and the bottom of the cloud causes the lightning. (Most lightning strikes are inside the cloud). The large negative charge at the bottom of the cloud repels electrons in the earth's surface, giving the ground an overall positive charge under the storm. (Like when you stick a balloon on the wall by rubbing it on your clothes). The differences in charge here creates earth-ground lightning.

[Snappy]

About 4years ago i got woken up by thunder and when i looked out it was snowing hard. The thunder was so loud i thought it was a plane crashing at first!