During Sunday, January 29, a potent squall line of snow pushed through the Mahoning Valley late Sunday afternoon. When the snow came down, it was extremely intense reducing visibilities to less than a quarter of a mile. The brief period of intense snow was brought on by strong gusty winds and even flashes of lightning.
This type of winter weather event is commonly known as "thundersnow". While lightning is normally associated with springtime thunderstorms, it can, and often does, occur during heavy snow in the winter season.
Lightning can strike objects and people. According to lightningsaftey.com, a man was hit by lightning during a blizzard in Minneapolis, Minnesota in March, 1996. Also, another man in Vail, Colorado was struck by lightning during a snowstorm in April, 1996. This proves that it can be just as dangerous to be outside during thundersnow as it is during a severe thunderstorm.
