Name: Thundersnow and snow lightning in western New York
Uploaded: 2026-01-01T17:50:06.009Z
Duration: 56 s
Description: A heavy band of lake-effect snow on New Year’s Eve produced thundersnow and snow lightning across western New York. Meteorologist Justin Michaels breaks down the spectacle.

A heavy band of lake-effect snow on New Year’s Eve produced thundersnow and snow lightning across western New York. Meteorologist Justin Michaels breaks down the spectacle.

New York

Unusual weather phenomena, including thundersnow and snow lightning, were observed during a drive from Fredonia to Dunkirk in western New York. Witnesses reported seeing repeated bright flashes of lightning refracted through falling snow, even though the actual lightning strikes were miles away and thunder was rarely heard.

Radar confirmed that the lightning bolts were not close to the observers, yet the flashes were visible due to the snow squalls. The event provided a striking visual display along the snow-covered roads in the region.

Thundersnow and snow lightning in western New York

Last night on our way back, though, from Fredonia, the White Inn down in Fredonia, we saw something very interesting, something that maybe over the last couple years you remember some thundersnow and Jim Cantore being involved with that thundersnow. Well, we heard some thundersnow and we saw some snow lightning, and it was wild. We kept just getting bolt after bolt. Now, the interesting thing was this. It was nowhere near us. We were looking at the radar and seeing where those bolts were hitting. They were nowhere near around us, and in fact, we most of the time didn't even hear the thundersnow. But the lightning that was reflecting and refracting through all that snow that was falling during those squalls, we were getting it from who knows how many miles away. And it was really amazing to see those big, bright flashes of lightning as we were driving the very small snow-covered road between Fredonia and back here to Dunkirk last night.

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