Chance of rare 'thundersnow' : What is it and why is it more likely?'

A snow covered car on the A169 between Pickering and Whitby on the North York Moors.
Cold Arctic air continues to grip the country, with temperatures dropping to -6C overnight at Spadeadam in Cumbria. Credit: Met Office

The Met Office has said there is a chance of 'thundersnow' in the forecast as this week's deep freeze continues.

Tonight we are likely to have our coldest night of the season so far, with minus double figures through rural spots of Scotland where there’s lying snow.

There’s been notable snowfall across parts of Scotland and north-eastern England this week.

Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.

What is thundersnow?

Thundersnow is very possible under the current scenario - thundery downpours where the air is cold enough for snow to fall.

Already, lightning has been reported off the coast of Scotland and north-eastern England - and while the heavy snow is falling, it’ll seem unusual and dramatic.

Thunder can sound different with snow - the larger surface area of snowflakes helps reverberate and affects the acoustics, making the thunder sound more muffled.

With longer hours of dark sky and short daylight this time of year, the chances of seeing lightning with snowfall can be higher.

Thursday's forecast.
Amber and yellow weather warnings are in place across the UK as temperatures are expected to drop as low as -6C. Credit: Met Office

Is thundersnow unusual?

Thundersnow, as well as sounding like a superhero, is rare in the UK but Scotland is not a stranger to it.

The chances are higher this week due to the stark contrast of cold Arctic air and the relatively mild sea surface temperatures around the UK.

This difference in temperature exacerbates the formation of thundery activity.

The North Sea is around 1-2C above average in some locations around Scotland and north-eastern England, where more snow is forecast. The higher sea temperatures are a legacy of our record-breaking, long, hot summer and very mild start to autumn.

A couple of degrees rise in sea temperature might not sound much, but with the combination of bitter Arctic air, it’s enough to mean a higher risk of thunder this wintry week.

Up to 25cm of snow could fall on higher ground in the North York Moors, where an amber warning is in place until 9pm. Credit: Met Office

Why are we seeing more snow?

The brisk and biting north wind has not only meant a wind chill but has also generated frequent showers of sleet and snow in these areas, all feeding in from the moisture of the North Sea.

This process, along with bitter arctic air, has meant heavy snow and blowing snow, more so over higher routes, giving challenging conditions.

The combination of this process - the atmospheric set-up, the wind direction and geography of these areas brings a high risk of snow.

More snow falls and accumulates over higher ground, which both Scotland and parts of north east England are characterised by.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...