Investigating stability evolution of snow storms featuring lightning

This study is an attempt to determine discriminators between thundersnow (TSSN) events and non-thundering snow events. Traditional forecasting tools will be tested to determine if any thresholds exist in the atmospheric stability between TSSN and non-thundering events. Additionally, this study will examine the implications of the height at which the -10°C isotherm, the temperature of the first atmospheric charge reversal occurs, is located with respect to the most unstable lifted parcel (MU LPL). If the level at which the -10°C isotherms is located is within a statically stable layer of the atmosphere, lightning may not occur.; This study also will show that the stability tendency of TSSN events is quite different than that found in non-thundering snowstorms. In order to illustrate the results the atmospheric stability of eight TSSN events is examined from several hours prior to lightning onset until several hours after the cessation of lightning. The results are compared to a set of seven non-thundering snow events. Paradoxically, TSSN environments area prone to stabilization while non-thundering environments are typically destabilizing.