Rare weather phenomenon passes through Rochester during winter storm. What is 'thundersnow'?

If you were looking in the sky during last night's snowfall in Rochester, you most likely witnessed a weather phenomenon passing through our area: thundersnow.

Thundersnow is a thunderstorm that produces snow instead of rain and occurs when a mass of cold air forms on top of warm air, with moist air closer to the ground. The weather event is rare because convection, the upward motion of air that helps produce thunderstorms, is uncommon in winter.

#Thundersnow was trending on Twitter last night as many people in the area caught the electric sky on camera.

How much snow did Rochester NY region get?

Downtown Rochester, March 3rd snow storm
Downtown Rochester, March 3rd snow storm
  • HAMLIN 5.5 IN

  • HILTON 4.7 IN

  • BRIGHTON 4.5 IN

  • PENFIELD 4.2 IN

  • ROC AIRPORT 4.0 IN

  • GREECE 3.9 IN

  • PITTSFORD 3.5 IN

  • FAIRPORT 3.4 IN

  • HONEOYE FALLS 2.8 IN

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Contact Robert Bell at: rlbell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @byrobbell & Instagram: @byrobbell.

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This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester NY Weather: What is 'thundersnow'? Plus, storm snow totals